Local monument could spark outdoor art gallery
This Wednesday, October 29th at 3pm, a formal dedication will take place for the Hoover Monument which is located on the Frisco Trail intersection at Center St.
The monument was installed as a celebration of the lives of a local family who was killed in a car accident last August while vacationing in Mexico.
Maureen Hoover was the director of the University of Arkansas Upward Bound Math and Science program. Paul Hoover was a firefighter in Fort Smith. Sharon Hoover was a practicing architect in Fayetteville and Steve Hoover was an accomplished artist.
Randy Werner, a coworker and friend of Maureen, wanted to honor her and her family after their deaths and began exploring Steve Hoover’s art studio when he discovered an old piece that had been sitting outside. ” I worked to have the piece refurbished and back to its original color and met with the city to work out getting it installed,” said Werner. At the time of his death, Steve was working on a piece for the Fayetteville Public Library which is just up the hill from the Frisco Trail installment location.
Besides being a dedication art piece, Werner hopes the monument will be the start of an outdoor gallery that connects the Mill District to the Walton Arts Center and Dickson Street.
“I don’t want this piece to stand alone. I want it to be a jumping off point for more art on the trail,” said Werner.
What a truly awesome idea.
The monument is titled “city fragments” and on hand to dedicate the piece will be Mayor Dan Coody, the Fayetteville Parks Department and the Fayetteville Arts Council.
Discussion
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By Lankford on October 27th, 2008
I miss Sharon, and I always loved seeing Steve’s art sitting around in their yard, but I have to say…there is already an outdoor gallery along this trail if you consider the works of the Frisco Trail Graffiti Bandit. He’ll have this city fragments thing fixed up in a jiffy!
By Jonah on October 27th, 2008
The Hoovers were wonderful people, and Steve’s sculpture is a fitting tribute to their contributions to our community, both realized and unrealized. We miss them dearly.
It is good of Mayor Coody to take time from his busy schedule to participate in this dedication, fortuitously scheduled as it is less than a week before the election. Coincidence, no doubt, but don’t let his crass opportunism detract from the lives of the Hoover family and the honor we pay to their memory.
By SteezyDeezy on October 27th, 2008
Jonah,
Mayor Coody did not schedule this, and was ASKED to be there because of his connection with the family.
Not a ****ing coincidence at all. Take your political BS back to your blog.
By Neil Rainey on October 27th, 2008
Maureen, Paul, Steve and Sharon loved the outdoors, art, and especially Fayetteville. It brings a tear to my eye and an emptiness to my heart when I miss them, but this piece of Steve’s work is a truly beautiful sentiment. Nothing can replace the Hoovers, but a permanant piece of Steve’s art will serve as a daily reminder of how much the city meant to them and all of us. Speaking for Maureen’s family, thanks so much Randy.
By Michael on October 27th, 2008
Oh the things that pass for ‘art’ anymore. I can understand wanting to do a memorial, but really that’d be more fitting in some redneck’s shop building after a night of drinking and playing with a welder.
By Boggy Creek Creature on October 28th, 2008
Oh, the things that pass for “art” critics anymore.
I think it’s pretty and will be a delight to bike past.
By polecat on October 28th, 2008
Jonah has gone too far this time. Steve was Dan’s oldest friend. Those of us who really did know the Hoovers know they would never have been friends with someone like Jonah. Everything it seems is a political opportunity for him including the death of a great family. They where kind, decent, and talented people, and Jonah is a disgrace. Totally sickening.
By Carol on October 29th, 2008
This monument is so fitting for the city and for the Hoovers. It’s so nice to know that we can all walk the trail and be reminded of them through art. Thank you Randy for putting so much time, effort and money into this project. MIss you Maureen.
By Leslie on October 30th, 2008
As a good friend of Sharon’s I’m so thankful for the opportunity to remember through a physical reminder in the “historic” area of Fayetteville that Sharon worked so hard to make the best place possible. And I’m so proud of Randy Werner, Maureen’s good friend, so worked so hard to make this possible
By Strokitecture on October 30th, 2008
They have done a great thing here to honor good people. Yet some negative jackasses just had to find a way to carelessly post and ruin even the smallest decent act.
shame on you.
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