Save Spaulding

Besides the Walker's iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry, my favorite local sculptures are the ones you can touch. Generation after generation can wear a beloved statue smooth with curious hands.

For almost a year, the Edina Public Art Committee has been renting a bronze puppy named Spaulding, pure joy cast in metal posing near 50th and France. He's probably made you smile. Maybe you even patted him on the head. 

Spaulding's Minneapolis-based creator, Heidi Hoy, was on a quest to sculpt something fun, "to really make people happy." She succeeded. In fact, the puppy has become so popular, that a number of Edina residents, clubs, foundations and businesses are trying to buy Spaulding so Edina can be his permanent home.

SALUT BAR AMERICAIN is spearheading the effort to enable both the purchase and long-term rental of public art "under the auspices of the Edina Community Foundation." Fundraising efforts will begin in early September and culminate in fundraising by the Edina Lions Club during Edina's Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, October 26th.  On Wednesday, Sept. 18th  SALUT will donate 10% of profits from sales  to the fundraising effort, and Edina residents are invited to a Meet the Sculptor dinner with Heidi Hoy that evening. Checks made out to the Edina Community Foundation and referencing "Spaulding" can also be dropped off at SALUT in Edina or mailed to the Edina Community Foundation.

The community effort to rent and buy art for the city of Edina started with Hoy's puppy sculpture, but won't end there. According to City Council member Ann Swenson, "We love Spaulding, and we want him to have lots of company."

Spaulding will cost $7,650 to purchase, and a lead gift of $1000 has already been announced. Once the sculpture has been purchased, ownership will be transferred to the City of Edina. It seems like a small price to pay for generations of smiles.