Local artists have unleashed their creativity for a public art project that pays tribute to Ferris State University and helps raise money for local nonprofit organizations. In Big Rapids, 2009 is the “Year of the Dawg.”

Leadership Mecosta, a program sponsored by the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce, has taken up the leash on the project that features 35 decorated bulldog statues.

The 3-foot-by-4-foot bulldog statues were painted by local artists. The project was designed to increase tourism and be a fundraiser for Artworks, the Mecosta County Youth Attention Center and Leadership Mecosta.

“The goal is to generate energy and excitement in the community,” Leadership Mecosta Facilitator Lynne Scheible said.

Decorated with a hockey jersey, shredded money from the Federal Reserve, car engines and almost anything else you can imagine, the Unleashing the Dawgs provided the people of Big Rapids a taste of the artistic talent in the community.

“We have a lot of talented people with a lot of creative ideas in this community,” artist and project admirer Pat Heeter said. “The different themes and techniques honor a lot of the great things about Mecosta County. Every comment I’ve heard has been very positive.”

The project wasn’t a simple one to complete for the artists, however. Kym Nicolas said she spent 15 days completing her bulldog, which provided great detail and texture in creating an almost mural-like canvas on the bulldog.

“I kind of got addicted to the project once I started,” Nicolas said. “To see all of the artists’ creations together is truly special.”

Leadership Mecosta member Geri Johnson, who works as governmental relations assistant at Ferris State University, said the meaning behind the statues was what she found most impressive.
“The cool thing was how everyone had a different interpretation of the project,” Johnson said. “To see them come alive from a blank canvas is awesome.”

Leadership Mecosta is a comprehensive nine-month program that includes a two-day retreat and eight day-long sessions. Participants take part in dynamic sessions focusing on leadership skill development and community education which includes an inside look at the systems that operate in Mecosta County such as education, health care, human services, the arts, government, public safety, economic development and and more.

The Year of the Dawg began with the “unleashing” on Labor Day 2008 and runs through Summer 2009. At the end of the display year, the sponsored dawgs will be auctioned online. The adopted dawgs were purchased by businesses before the pieces were decorated and will not be auctioned.

Have you seen a dawg that you would be interested in owning?  At the  completion of the Year of the Dawg Project, you will have a chance to do just that.  Be sure to check out our eBay online auction (ready in September) where 24 of the sponsored dawgs will go to the highest bidder. Search “Year of the Dawg” to find our eBay store where all dawgs can be viewed. The  auction will occur from Oct. 5 - 8, 2009.