First BIRD to be Unveiled Thursday

The first of 19 life-sized bird sculptures has lit downtown and will be unveiled Thursday during Third Thursday.

The Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest, Summerville DREAM and Sculpture in the South have teamed up for a project that will feature 19 life-sized bird sculptures scattered throughout historic downtown Summerville. The idea is similar to Greenville's Mice on Main program. 

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The first of the pieces were expected to be unveiled in June, but it appears the barred owl has arrived early. A nuthatch is also expected to swoop into town soon.

The bronze sculpture of the owl is by renown wildlife sculptor Paul Rhymer. The Maryland artist is known to Summerville as the creator of the friendly hippo who resides in the pond at Sheppard Park.

The barred owl, a bird native to the Lowcountry has taken up permanent residence on the railing of the Mayor's balcony on the bell tower of the new Town administration building. At the unveiling ceremony on Thursday evening, Mayor Bill Collins will introduce this latest edition to theSummerville public art collection.

In celebration of the introduction of the first BIRDS sculpture, the artist owners of Four Green Fields Gallery and Gifts, Robin and Jill Carway, have created a commemorative ornament featuring the barred owl. These ceramic ornaments are a special limited edition and will be available for purchase for $15 at the BIRDS information table at Third Thursday and at Four Green Fields Gallery located at 119 Short Central Avenue. All proceeds fromthe sale of these ornaments will be donated to the BIRDS for the purchase of future installations.