First Love Tusc sculptures to be unveiled Wednesday evening
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Sept. 11, 2023) – The Tuscarawas Arts Partnership is about to reveal the first batch of LoveTusc sculptures.
The organization is inviting everyone to the Performing Arts Center on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 for a preview party. Executive Director Wilma Mullet says attendees will get an early look at the Love Tusc sculptures for nine participating communities, including Dover, New Philadelphia, Dennison, Bolivar, Strasburg, and Newcomerstown.
“It’s just an evening where people can gather and see the collection start coming together and even see some of the artists at work, too, because we’ll have three or our artists that will be painting live on their sculptures at the event.”
Each Love Tusc sculpture is shaped like Tuscarawas County with a heart cut out of the middle and features a design that Mullet says captures the spirit of the community that will be displaying it.
“I’m really excited. I fully trust the artists that are at work with the projects. I know whatever they produce is gonna be really incredible. It’s everything that reflects their style and their vision in collaboration with the community.”
The sculptures being unveiled during Wednesday’s preview party will start going up next month, and monetary donations will be accepted that evening to fund the ones TAP plans to install in another 11 communities come spring.
“We have a few very close to being fully funded and a few that are on the way that could use the extra support, so it’s just another way for us to be able to share the love also and to be able to help each other out.”
The cost to produce each Love Tusc sculpture is just under $7,000. Mullet says they’re awaiting news about a couple of grant opportunities that could help pay for the rest of the collection.