SOS! for Sculpture: Save Outdoor Sculpture! Responds to Katrina and Rita
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“Golden Fisherman,” which once embraced the sea, now lies defeated by Hurricane Katrina. Local sculptor Harry Reeks made the sculpture from melted raw bronze and also added sacred family bronze keepsakes from the old boats. Commissioned by the city of Biloxi, this once-fountain included the names of Biloxi fishing families and the annual shrimp celebration kings and queens. Photo: David Preziosi – Mississippi Heritage Trust |
As Hurricane Wilma threatens the Florida coast, officials are still removing debris, clearing roads, and rebuilding in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Part of this rebuilding effort includes cultural preservation.
The Heritage Emergency National Task Force is acting as a clearinghouse for information about cultural resources in the states affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Members of the Task Force are sending conservators, architects, and preservation professionals to assess the condition of historic buildings and collections, including public sculpture. According to the Save Outdoor Sculpture! survey, conducted from 1989 to 2002, more than 1,000 publicly accessible sculptures were vulnerable to the ravages of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. SOS! is responding with help.
SOS! is working closely with the Heritage Emergency National Task Force to identify sculptures that may have been damaged and to raise funds for conservation. SOS! has developed the SOS! Rapid Response Form to help conservators quickly note the condition of damaged sculpture. The Task Force is distributing the form to local arts and preservation organizations. If you are in an affected area and want to report a damaged sculpture, please use the SOS! Rapid Response Form.
If you would like to contribute towards the Hurricane Relief effort, please send your contribution to: Heritage Preservation Hurricane Response Fund/Sculpture, Heritage Preservation, 1012 14th Street, NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005.
To read about previous Task Force activities, click here.