8/8/2006 7:43 pm
Last Read:
8/10/2006 12:16 pm
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Sky Woman found
Investigation focuses on how statue was moved from Inniswood Metro Gardens
A wooden turtle located in Inniswood Metro Gardens will soon be reunited with its longtime companion.
The recently stolen Sky Woman statue that normally stands on the turtle's back was recovered by Columbus Metro Parks staff members last week.
"Right now, the focus of our investigation is trying to figure out how Sky Woman got from Inniswood to that residence," said Larry Peck, deputy director of Metro Parks said. "We are working on that as we speak."
When asked about the progress of the investigation, Peck said, "It's going normally."
A call from a viewer of a television news story about the theft tipped off the department July 18, according to Metro Parks spokeswoman Peg Hanley.
"The statue was on television one night, and someone called with a tip the very next morning," Hanley said. "I was really amazed -- I don't think we would have found it if the television and newspapers hadn't covered the story."
The caller pointed Metro Parks staff to a home near The Ohio State University campus in Columbus, according to Hanley, who wouldn't elaborate further on the location of the home.
"It wasn't a frat house, in case you were wondering," she said.
The 200-pound wooden statue was recovered basically intact, with only superficial scratches and a small gouge in one of the carved braids. Sky Woman now is sitting in the Metro Parks district offices, 1069 W. Main St., Westerville, until the department's law enforcement division concludes its investigation of the theft.
Lee Csuri, the artist who created the $25,000 sculpture, said she was surprised it showed up at all.
"I was afraid that if it had been young kids or teens who had stolen it, their parents would destroy the statue to keep the kids from getting caught," Csuri said. "I was delighted when it was found."
Metro Parks officials first noticed the five-foot-tall statue's absence from the Sisters' Garden at Inniswood after the night of June 30. What confused officials was how someone could remove such a large statue from the middle of the park without leaving any signs: There were no tire tracks or broken bushes or plants around the site, according to Hanley.
Once department officials release Sky Woman from their offices, Csuri will repair the statue for the park, she said.
"The repairs sound like they won't be a big deal," she said. "I understand there's a chip out of the head and some scrub marks, but those will be easy to take care of with steel wool and varnish."
Csuri said creating the statue took six months. To make it stronger, the body of Sky Woman was constructed of two separate pieces of wood that were laminated together. Csuri then spent countless hours carving the statue, using only hand tools and the help of her husband and neighbor for heavy lifting.
"It took a great deal of difficulty to carve her, and since she's sort of my child, it's my responsibility to maintain her," Csuri said.
While park rangers continue the investigation, Hanley said she and other Metro Parks officials are coming up with better ways to keep Sky Woman and other park attractions secure. Previously, the statue was attached to the turtle by a metal rod.
Hanley said she also despaired for Sky Woman.
"At first, I really didn't think it was going to turn up. It could have gone either way," she said. "You didn't always notice her, but suddenly when she was gone, we noticed the turtle just sitting there alone, waiting for her to come back down."
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15129 posts 8/9/2006 2:52 am |
She's not lacking anything
in the silhouette department
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8857 posts 8/10/2006 10:47 am |
YAAAAY!!!! I do love a happy ending!
+ B
Joie de Vivre! *BB*
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