Artists must apply by Dec. 1 to design one of 75 Herky on Parade statues
The popular "Herky on Parade" is back and needs a few important assists.
Seventy-five, 6-foot Herky statues will be scattered in public spaces throughout the Iowa City and Coralville corridor next year, helping commemorate the mascot's 75th birthday.
Artists are needed to design each sculpture.
As before, businesses can sponsor Herky statues, helping raise their business profile as eager participants.
The statues will be on display from May of next year through August.
The idea for the original Herkys on Parade was established by the President of Think Iowa City, Josh Schamberger. The statues were first placed around campus and Iowa City in 2003 when the University of Iowa Iowa celebrated a historic anniversary of Kinnick Stadium.
"The Associate Athletics Director of the time, Rick Klatt, and I got together with Dale Arens at the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame and we decided to put Herky on parade as part of these Kinnick anniversary celebrations," Schamberger said. "Herky on Parade was an instant hit and we committed to doing it again on its 10th anniversary in 2014. Here we are 20 years later."
Think Iowa City is calling on artists to help make the 20th-anniversary celebration come to life. The organization needs 75 artists to pitch and design the statues.
The first Herky, The Diamond Jubilee Herky, was revealed at FryFest in September, doused in 120,000 gems and topped off with a one-carat diamond meant to embody the creativity of the ensuing creativity.
“What a wonderful opportunity to continue the celebration of Herky’s 75th birthday,” interim athletic director Beth Goetz said in a statement. “Herky on Parade brings our communities together and creates so much enthusiasm from our fans. We appreciate the partnership with Think Iowa City and are excited to see the statues next spring.”
More: Shining bright: Return of Herky on Parade announced in diamond-studded reveal
Ashley Smith is the operations and servicing manager at Think Iowa City and is also one of the co-chairs of the artist committee focusing on finding and selecting artists. She expects a wave of creativity that'll help boost Herky's popularity even more.
“It is such a special event to find all the Herkies,” Smith said. “I encourage [artists] to think outside the box, look at what’s been done in the past, and take it from there. We want to keep the physical look and feel of Herky, but want a lot of creativity mixed in there.”
How to become a Herky artist
Think Iowa City released the call for artists on Oct. 12 with applications due by noon on Dec. 1. The application includes a blank outline of Herky in his third edition pose. Artists can sketch their concept design and detail their plans for the sculpture.
Electronic submissions are not allowed, The art committee requests artists mail in their completed applications or bring them directly to the Think Iowa City office to keep the statue designs secret.
“[Herky on Parade] is open to the whole community; the design just has to be approved,” Smith said. “Groups or a school art class could plan it together.”
Statues will be provided to artists in January, with a deadline for completion by the end of March.
Applications to apply to design one of the 75 Herkies on display are available at HerkyOnParade3.com, by emailing [email protected], by calling 319-337-6592, or stopping by the Think Iowa City offices at 900 First Ave. in Coralville.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Next year's Herky on Parade needs 75 artists
