"NATURE'S PLAYGROUND" CEREMONY

March 24th, 2013

On Friday, March 22nd 2013, over 300 people came to witness the dedication of "Nature's Playground", the 42' sculpture in the new town center of Gautier, Mississippi. The sculpture was created by the world-renowned artist Dean Mosher. With a unique vision firmly in his mind, Mosher took to assemble a top-notch team of artists, craftsmen, machinists, welders, masons, engineers, and technicians who labored over a year in the construction.


"The news media can go out and proclaim it, they can declare it the prettiest piece of art on the coast, period," said Mayor Fortenberry, who acted as the master of ceremonies at the dedication. Other speakers included members of Gautier Pride, the MDA, and the artist.

Mosher gives much of the credit for the vision to create the sculptures to City Manager Samantha Abell, "It wouldn’t be here without her."

This project is a result of a grant in order to revive Gautier's economy post-Katrina and provide it with a one-of-its-kind work of art that will help create pride and a feeling of ownership within the community.

Facts
2,000 handmade river rock pieces
200 sq. ft. of hand-cut marble
Half a mile of rebar
Over 10 tons of concrete
Tons of steel framing
Over 4 miles of solder
10,000 rivets
Over 50 miles of cut copper
3,000 sq. ft. of copper sheeting
The 5' globe is covered with over 7,000 pieces of stained glass
The globe is lit by nearly 2,000 state-of-the-art LED lights
Contributors
Jeff and Nina Anderson: Tile Setter & Mason
Brian Barter: Welding & Steel Fabrication
Johnny Bishop: Welder
John Borom PH.D.: Nature Consultant
Richard Browning: Welding & Steel Fabrication
Travis Chavin: Copper Craftsman
Gary Cowles: Structural Engineer
Peco Foresman: Model & Form Maker
Ernest Hendrix: Master Copper Craftsman
Lane Construction: Contractor
Gary Scovil: Vidiographer
Max Scovil: Photographer & Videographer
Brooke Scovil: Photographer & Web Site Designer
T.J. Simons: Lighting Technician
Derek Thomas: Oversite of Copper Work
Butch Thompson: Master Machinist & Metal Worker
Sandra Ward: Stained Glass Artist

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