Fans flock to fiberglass Fidos for fundraiser
Date: 6/1/2010
June 2, 2010.By Mike Briotta
PRIME Editor
WEST SPRINGFIELD -- If you've ever seen the fiberglass painted cow sculptures made famous in so-called "cow parades" throughout the world, get ready for West Springfield's much cuddlier take on the idea: Terriers Around Town (TAT).
West Springfield is culminating a yearlong fundraising effort this summer with the outdoor art project. Its calendar of events kicked off May 22 with a public preview of completed terrier sculptures from among a pack of 40 fiberglass canines.
"It's a one-year project," said Chris Costanzi, who was the catalyst for the local idea. "While I wouldn't rule out doing this again in the future, it was designed as a one-time event."
The town mascot is a West Highland white terrier, "Westie." Each terrier sculpture stands 40 inches tall. The painted puppies will be displayed in "litters" throughout the main thoroughfares of West Springfield.
It's part of a highly successful art-meets-commerce trend that's manifested itself as fiberglass horses, bears and pigs in various cities and towns across America.
A Nebraska company called America's Fiberglass Animals constructed the terrier sculptures. TAT placed a special order with the company, as terriers sculptures don't quite fit the larger molds used to make bovines and equines.
"I was familiar with the cows in Chicago, and I had also seen fiberglass pigs in Venice, Florida," said Costanzi.
The idea was originally derived from cow structures that became popular throughout the world, in which various painted fiberglass cows have been auctioned off to benefit charities.
Although the completed terriers will be part of a parade at the Big E on West Springfield Day, there is not a TAT parade planned for West Springfield. Rather, the dogs will be on display at various locations through the end of August.
The public or corporate sponsors will have the option to purchase the sculptures directly until then, after which point any remaining dogs will go to auction.
According to Costanzi, sponsors are designated a category based on their involvement with the project, such as Balise Auto being called an "Alpha Dog" for contributing $10,000 in cash and in-kind donations.
"Balise provided all of our dogs with a car-coat protective finish," said Costanzi. "It's actually a Lexus finish, baked in a kiln."
TAT scheduled numerous events centered around the artwork, including an introductory "Naked Puppy Party" that took place in March in which artists, sponsors and the general public glimpsed the first unpainted terrier.
Other events include a mid-May to mid-August semi-permanent display of the finished terriers. Businesses will have special events to unveil their terriers.
The dogs will be featured around town at such events as the Taste of the Valley from June 3 through 6, and a function called "Bone Appetit!" to take place the evening of Aug. 5.
The TAT committee also launched a Web site for events and a Facebook fan page. Many products are available for purchase with the terrier theme.
The outdoor art project is expected to bring in visitors from all over New England and beyond. The project aims to bring a big return for the business community, according to the group's Web site.
The schools expect to benefit with innovative arts programs; businesses hope to see an increase in traffic flow; and artists should have a new audience for their creativity.
Costanzi said it's anyone's guess where the terriers will eventually wind up following the grand finale auction on Oct. 15, which will raise funds for the arts programs of school-age children in West Springfield. She expects those dogs will sell for about $2,000 to $3,000 each.
"Quite a few sponsors have already agreed to purchase theirs; nine have been paid for so far," Costanzi said. "I don't know where most of the others will go," Costanzi continued. "Often people will bid on them and then turn around and donate them to a library or senior center."
The fate of one dog is certain, however.
"Each of the schools have a dog that represents them," said Costanzi. "At the John Ashley School, 250 kindergartners decorated their terrier with their thumbprints. Kohl's purchased it outright, and it will be on display at the high school for those students, who will be the class of 2022. It will be waiting there for them until they get to high school."
