What color is your gargoyle?
Over at Grumpy’s in downtown Riverside it’s gray with big, bulging eyes, eating an ice cream cone and topped by a sprinkling of small ice cream-loving demons.
The gargoyle, which sits in the front window of the popular eatery, is more than just a whimsical work of art”it’s part of the Riverside Public Library’s 75th anniversary celebration.
Just as the City of Chicago celebrated 1999 with its famous “Cows on Parade” exhibit, the Riverside library will display gargoyles decorated by local schools, businesses and organizations beginning Sept. 18 in the library, 1 Burling Road.
“We’re really excited about this,” said Dorothy Sikora, the library’s programs and public relations coordinator. “Every school will be represented, almost all local organizations and many businesses.”
Gargoyles were delivered to some 45 participants back in May, and will be returned to the library on Sept. 15 for judging by a panel of five local artists. Winners will receive certificates recognizing the artistic merit of the gargoyles, patterned after a figure perched atop the east gable of the library.
According to a newspaper report from 1930 when the library opened, the gargoyles perched upon the front and east roof peaks drew considerable interest. The figures, said the report, “follow closely the design of the famous gargoyles that decorate Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
“The one above the entrance typified a bird pecking at the ‘fruits of knowledge,’ and the other … is indicative of ‘the thinker.'”
The gargoyles will be on display at the library from Sept. 18 through February. In addition to the judges’ favorite, library visitors will be able to pick a “patrons prize” winner. Glass jars will be placed in front of each entry on display at the library, and patrons can drop coins into them as a vote.
The gargoyle decorating contest is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, which will celebrate its own 75th anniversary in 2006, and is underwriting half of the cost of the resin sculptures, which stand about 2 feet tall.
Each participant paid $75 for the honor of decorating its gargoyle; the Friends picked up the rest of the tab. On Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006, the library will hold a silent auction for the gargoyles. Any participant wishing to simply purchase its gargoyle can do so, by reimbursing the Friends another $75.
Not content with waiting for the library to unveil all of the gargoyles in September, Grumpy’s owner David Moreau has proudly displayed his entry in the store’s front window. Moreau looks to have set the bar rather high, enlisting Riverside artist Heather Hug, who transformed “the thinker” into an ice-cream coveting imp. On its back are other, smaller gargoyles, one of whom has dropped its cone onto the horn of its bigger companion, who is unconcerned about the big scoop of green ice cream melting at its feet.
Hug’s gargoyle won’t be up for auction, Moreau said. It’s staying right there in the store after the contest is over.
