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'Cobalt' Leads Penguin Parade Art Project
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- "Cobalt," a majestic, multi-colored, seven-foot-tall penguin sculpture named after the new car line at the General Motors Lordstown Complex, was unveiled today at Youngstown State University as part of the Penguin Parade public arts project.The design, which uses the same type of paint used at the auto complex, is the first of 31 penguin sculptures being created through the project sponsored by YSU and the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley."It's appropriate, given General Motors' vital importance to the region, that the first penguin to be unveiled in this project celebrates Lordstown's new car, which in many ways represents the future of the Mahoning Valley," said YSU President David C. Sweet, who was joined at the unveiling by Maureen E. Midgley, manager of the GM Lordstown Complex, and Patricia Brozik, executive director of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.Penguin Parade, similar to public arts projects in other cities such as the colorful Cows on Parade in Chicago and the large guitar displays in Cleveland, calls for a group of artists to turn 31 fiberglass penguins into works of art. All of the completed penguins, which are being sponsored by local businesses and individuals, will make their public debut during the Summer Festival of the Arts July 10 and 11 on the YSU campus. The penguins will then go on public display throughout the community between July and November, at which time they will be auctioned to the highest bidder."Cobalt," the first completed penguin to be previewed, is sponsored by the GM Lordstown Complex and was designed by Todd P. Fowler of Youngstown, a 2002 YSU graduate with a bachelor's degree in fine arts.Fowler said he developed the design in honor of his father, Robert, who painted cars at GM for 35 years. "My father's work in the GM paint shop influenced my early artistic endeavors," Fowler said. "Growing up, I was introduced to the concepts of color, design, line and shape while watching my father detail and pinstripe automobiles. 'Cobalt' serves as a tribute to my father's years of hard work painting cars so I could have the opportunity to explore fine art." Fowler used the same automobile paint that GM workers uses to paint cars to craft his penguin, saying it was his goal to capture the luminosity, depth, finish and shine of a new car in his design. Brozik said, "After being involved in the project since its inception just over a year ago, it's rewarding to see the artist's concept transformed into the three-dimensional work of art." Plans are set to unveil the "Fourth of July" penguin by Lynn Anderson.Sponsored by B.J. Alan Phantom Fireworks, it will be previewed at the upcoming grand opening of the new Phantom Fireworks store on Market Street in North Lima.For more information about Penguin Parade, call 330-941-2752. "