Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff took time out of his busy schedule to introduce Russell Crow. No, not that Russell Crowe.
This new wooden Russell the Crow sculpture that was unveiled at Zonta Park in downtown Chatham on Thursday is another piece of the continuing effort to bring art and points of interest to downtowns right across Chatham-Kent.
Mayor Canniff told the crowd the larger version of the Crowfest mascot is the first of many carvings to be erected at every Chatham-Kent downtown by next Fall.
A new wooden Russell The Crow sculpture was unveiled at Zonta Park in downtown Chatham. (Photo by Paul Pedro)
Bothwell artist Mike Winia, who sculpted the crow piece all by chainsaw, said he has carved all over the world, but it was extra special to carve this 13 foot, 4,000 pound sculpture made of native white oak close to home.
"The challenge of any artistic project is fun for me, but when you're creating something for the public, it's a special treat," said Winia.
Mayor Canniff hopes to break a world record after these carvings are finished that would have Chatham-Kent be the proud home of the world's largest carving beside Highway 401.
"It's to bring people here. We are going to be known across Canada and hopefully around the world for the wood carvings. Once we finish that, we're going to the 401 and we're going to set a record. We're going to do a world record wood carving that promotes Chatham-Kent and then we want to have a really cool map of all these things so when people see it, we encourage people to come here," said the mayor.
Canniff also said nine smaller crow carvings will soon adorn different businesses in downtown Chatham as well. Other communities will also get smaller replicas of the large wooden sculpture that they eventually choose for their core.
The mayor said the $15,000 cost of the new wooden Russell The Crow sculpture will be covered by the Hydro One Fund and Councillor Ward Fund, not the taxpayer.
Hydro One has contributed $1 million per year for ten years for community recreational capital projects and art and cultural purposes within Chatham-Kent.
The Downtown Chatham Centre (DCC) is also displaying some art pieces in front of the entrance. The DCC art display is separate from the municipal wooden sculpture initiative. DCC co-owner Rob Myers said it's a preview of what's to come.
DCC art display. (Submitted photo)
DCC art display. (Submitted photo)
DCC art display. (Submitted photo)