Each year, the ArtFest Committee invites a sculptor to create a signature work that embodies the spirit of the event. In the previous five years, each of the sculptures creatively presented the image of a "Junebug," the "bug" itself. The 2013 sculpture, however, titled "THE SPIRIT OF THE ARTFEST: There's a Little JUNEBUG Inside Everyone!" features a cheerful childlike figure with raised arms and an open torso sheltering a version of the original Junebug logo.
The entire nearly 5' work is all glazed ceramic, with a few additional embellishments on the brightly-colored Junebug. Created by Metuchen ceramist Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella and her studio assistants at Earthsongs Works in Clay, the sculpture also stands as a symbol of risk and courage.
"While this was a project I was very delighted to take on, it was also one that I knew would provide huge challenges. I have been a professional ceramist for about 30 years, but focusing on wall sculpture and sculptural tiles...not large free-standing work. I knew I would face a major learning curve. Because of that, some of the sculpture "works" and some does not. I knew that going into the project. I have learned so much on so many levels having completed this. And best of all, my "SPIRIT of the ARTFEST" has received a very warm welcome in Metuchen!
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The work will remain on Main Street to remind all of Metuchen's ArtFest throughout the summer. It was then moved to its permanent home at the Metuchen Municipal Pool Garden.
