The Leaf Dancer, above, by Milt Neeley, is one of eight statues lining Coalville’s Main Street. But only one can win the city’s first ever People’s Choice Award. The winner will be purchased by Coalville City to be permanently displayed. It is up to Summit County residents to choose their favorite before voting closes Sept. 30 at midnight.
“We have had a very positive recreation from residents and visitors,” said Lola Beatlebrox, Chair of the Summit County Public Art Advisory Board. “The statues have really dressed up the town and people seem to be enamored with the Leaf Dancer statue, always dressing her up in different clothes.”
North Summit resident and assistant county manager Anita Lewis said the statues have had a noticeable affect on the community.
“When it was so rainy in May, everyone around town was smiling about the leaf lady’s outfits, it just brightened our spirits,” she said. “I think everyone is really going to miss all the statues when they are gone.”
Residents have been able to vote at www.summitcounty.org all summer for their favorite statue.
The eight statues will be displayed until April, 2012, when a new set of locally-submitted statues will take their place.
“We are definitely going to do it again,” said Beatlebrox. “We got the idea last year while on City Tour in Bozeman and shortly after Coalville Mayor Duane Schmidt approached us about a sculpture for Main Street. And we thought why one, why not eight.”
Beginning in February, the Art Advisory Board will be looking for eight new statue submissions.