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Sculpture Dedication
Home Town by George Lundeen
Saturday, October 21, 2006
12:45 p.m.
We
drove down Derby Hill, which used to curve and then come down. Here was
this valley with Loveland in it. I can remember Mother saying, “Henry,
This is where we are going to live. This is beautiful!”
The City of Loveland Visual Arts Commission is
hosting a formal dedication of Home Town by George Lundeen, on
Saturday, October 21st, 2006 at 12:45 p.m. near the southeast corner of
Dwayne Webster Park. The sculpture is a gift to the City of Loveland by
Ruth McEwen, whose family homesteaded the property at the corner of 13th
Street and Grant Avenue. Internationally renowned sculpture, George
Lundeen, was commissioned specifically for the creation of Home Town.
Ms. McEwen’s parents, Henry and Mary Shaffer, moved
to Loveland in 1920. Mr. Shaffer worked as a carpenter while his wife
designed homes, often working alongside her husband. Ms. McEwen’s
childhood home still stands, giving testament to her parent’s carpentry
and masonry skills. This unique home was built from scrap brick
artfully assembled to create its quaint style. “I can remember my
Mother sitting on a saw horse holding one of her hand-drawn house plans
talking to my Dad and getting ready to work with him.” George Lundeen
remained true to the spirit of Ms. McEwen’s memories as he created
Home Town, a life-sized bronze sculpture that depicts a young couple
sitting upon a sawhorse bench reviewing blueprints.
The sculpture will be installed this week in Dwayne
Webster Park, in the area that was once Ms. McEwen’s front yard. The
granite plinth will be engraved with Ms. McEwen memories of life in
early Loveland, giving future generations of Lovelanders vivid images of
our hometown.
Many generations of the Shaffer family will be
present at the dedication of Home Town by George Lundeen. The
public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
For more information about the City of Loveland's
Art in Public Places Program administered by the Visual Arts Commission,
please call Susan Ison at 962-2411 or Suzanne Janssen (970)962-2490.
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