Edina Raises Funds to Keep the Spaulding Sculpture

If his tail could wag, it would! Spaulding, the bronze dog sculpture in front of Salut Bar Américain, is officially a resident of Edina. Spaulding originated as one of 11 sculptures in the Edina Public Art Committee exhibition, and caught the eye of both residents and business owners. Each sculpture in the exhibit spends time in the Edina area and is then returned to its artist.
   
But the community’s love for this particular sculpture inspired Ann Swenson to create a “Save Spaulding” campaign, which called on Edina residents and others drawn to the four-legged friend to contribute to purchase the pup.
    
The campaign succeeded. Heidi Hoy, Spaulding’s sculptor, was presented with an oversize check for $7,650 on November 1, making the adoption official. “In only six weeks, we raised enough money to keep this beloved sculpture in Edina because residents and 50th and France shoppers love seeing it,” says Barbara La Valleur, chair of the Edina Public Art Committee. “It puts a smile on their faces. And the bonus is that we raised more than originally intended, which will continue to support public art in our great city.”