330-476-6343 | [email protected]
Mustache statue fittingly pays tribute to former Minerva mayor
Like and Share this story on Facebook
By Thomas Clapper
CCM Reporter
A large mustache sculpture honoring longtime Minerva Mayor Jim Waller was dedicated with his family in Waller’s memory on Oct. 11.
The sculpture was funded by Minerva Arts Council, the village of Minerva, Village Councilman Nathan Meadows, Greg and Cathy Horn and Phil and Emily Turske. It was conceptualized by Nathan Meadows and created by artist David McDowell.
Meadows kicked off the dedication and unveiling of the statue with a small speech to the crowd.
“It is a wonderful honor to be here,” said Meadows. “This started as a very weird idea in my brain when working on another project. I wanted to honor a true Minerva icon, Jim Waller. He would probably want us to spend this on something else and would not want this. But everyone knows Waller by that iconic mustache. I am thankful to artist David McDowell who made my idea come to life.”
The sculptor and artist David McDowell was next to speak about the project.
“This is definitely the strangest commission I have ever had,” said McDowell. “I have never done anything like this in 35 years of being an artist.”
McDowell said the idea was drawn on the back of a candy bar wrapper while he was waiting for a tow truck one day.
“This is the only project I have ever done where the work had not changed since the initial drawing,” said McDowell. “What I had on that wrapper is what the finished product looked like. I do not have the wrapper anymore unfortunately.”
Acting Mayor Mason Boldizar gave some remarks.
“I would like to thank Minerva Arts Council and several others for honoring a man who has left his mark on Minerva,” said Boldizar. “I know Waller wore many hats and I know in order to serve it takes commitment not just from him but his family. He did not want to be recognized because everything he did was to serve the Village of Minerva.”
Waller’s son Mike Waller spoke on behalf of the family prior to the unveiling.
“On behalf of the family I would like to thank all who worked on this,” said Mike Waller. “Dad was very humbled, and he would be proud and say there are others who deserve this. He took the most pride in the relationships and friendships he made in town. He also took great pride in the village employees. I learned so much from watching him, how he had patience and listened to others.”
Meadows announced the park is now known as the Jim Waller Memorial Mayor’s Park and the statue was unveiled by Meadows and Waller’s wife Shirla.
The statue weighs approximately 500 pounds and the idea started in 2022 and McDowell began work in 2023. He said it took a year to make and it consists of steel, cast aluminum and the mustache is plated with bronze. The statue also features steps in the back for visitors to pose like they are wearing the mustache.
Leave a Comment
Sponsor
Recent Sports News
Follow Us
Sponsor
Sign up for our Newsletter
Interested in a monthl roundup of stories? Enter your email to be added to our mailing list.