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| If there are errors, please e-mail me with corrections: Opening comments: More at the end. I scooped all the other media on this story and of course there is no mention of me - how it works you know. Understand some unnamed persons are upset this story is going public now. Still important questions are unanswered - who are the "group of Mississauga businessmen has commissioned" this statue? How much is it costing? and why are they doing it? What is in it for them? The Mississauga News - Jul. 11-06 - By Joseph Chin. Hazel statue ready for bronzing As a tribute to Mayor Hazel McCallion's lengthy public service and accomplishments, a group of Mississauga businessmen has commissioned an official statue of Hurricane Hazel. The life-sized work, by local sculptor Diane Young, is completed and is awaiting the go-ahead for bronzing. It hasn't been decided where the statue will be installed, but possible locations include City Hall, the Living Arts Centre and Streetsville, where McCallion got her start in politics and where she still lives. Young was giving a solo show of her work two years ago when she was approached by the businessmen. "They felt that there should be a representation of (Mayor McCallion) for all the people whose lives she has touched and that there should be something in Mississauga to eternally commemorate her achievements," said Young. [1] The commission has the full blessing of McCallion. "She was behind the project from day one. We went right to her with our presentation and she was very cooperative throughout the process," said Young. Working from more than 100 photos and measurements of the mayor taken in her City Hall office, Young spent approximately six months sculpting a life-sized bust and a 20-inch figure marquette. When it was completed, McCallion came to the artist's Haydonbridge Court studio for a viewing. "I was a little nervous, but she was delighted to see it," said Young. "I've lived in Mississauga for over 30 years, and I got to know Mayor McCallion and her achievements very well. That knowledge helped me in capturing her essence." McCallion is depicted with a smile and with hands clasped in front, as if in a receiving line. "Sculpting to me is the magical experience of releasing a soul from an inert mass of clay. The mayor is known for being approachable. Given her druthers, the sculptor would like the statue placed at ground level, with as small a base as possible. Most statues, Young notes, are installed on a high pedestal. "I don't want people to have to look up at her. It's not who she is. It would also be nice if people can touch her," she said. Born in Winnipeg, Young studied fine arts at the University of Manitoba for one year before deciding painting wasn't her forte. "It wasn't until I took a sculpture class and held clay in my hands for the first time in my life that I found my true passion," she said. In the five years she's been sculpting, Young has completed 10 commissioned works and sold many castings of her pieces. [COMMENTS BY DON B. - ] [ 1 ] - Byron has already done a picture of Hazel McCallion with horns and a tail. |
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