Missing Coralville Herky being repaired

A missing Herky on Parade statue is undergoing repairs for 'likely vandalism.”

The statue titled 'Gymnast Herky,” which was located on Wetlands Walkway behind the Coralville Marriott, was damaged a couple of weeks ago and was removed for repairs. Josh Schamberger, president of the Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the artist has been notified and the statue will be back on display in the coming weeks.

'(Vandalism) happens with every one of these public art events,” he said.

Schamberger said the visitors bureau included money for vandalism or other repairs in its approximately $150,000 budget for the 83 statues. The 'Reflections of U” statue was damaged in May - less than five days after it was unveiled.

Five or six statues - including 'Reflections of U” - have undergone repairs so far, but are not definitely linked to vandalism, Schamberger said.

That number is down from the parade's first run in 2004, which Schamberger attributed to a couple of changes that were made. He said approximately four statues were damaged beyond repair in 2004, and organizers had to make constant fixes to statues located near the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City. Those statues, including one made to look like Marilyn Monroe, had elements that were damaged on an almost weekly basis, he said.

Beyond vandalism issues, Schamberger said the pose for the 2004 Herkys was more susceptible to damage then the one used this year. Herky was depicted in a marching pose in 2004, which led to problems when children would sit on an outstretched arm.

Schamberger said even with the pose change, statues still can be damaged when young children climb on them or sit on parts of them for photos.

'It's tough to anticipate five or six kids climbing on it like it's a jungle gym,” Schamberger said.

Police departments from all the jurisdictions where the parade is present were consulted when it came to statue placements, Schamberger said. While police don't make special trips to observe the statues Schamberger said they notify the visitors bureau if something is wrong.

Schamberger said the statues will be repaired and returned to their locations, and some alterations will be made to some to make them more durable.

l Comments: brent.griffiths@sourcemedia.net