Artist Wants Shot At Gun Metal Sculptures

TAMPA - Bradley Arthur hopes two sculptures made from smelted guns will leave positive impressions on Tampa residents for years to come.
The Hillsborough Public Art Committee hopes the artist's plan impresses county commissioners enough to spend $120,000 today for the two pieces.

One would go to the Sheriff's Operations Center in Ybor City; another would go to a district office at Citrus Park Town Center.

The abstract art would be made from the metal of guns collected in Operation Cease Fire, a program that collects firearms people want to discard.

``This is a very important public art project because it's about public safety,'' said Jan Stein, the county's public art coordinator.

Arthur, a former New York City artist who lives in Land O' Lakes, said the project is a challenge.

``When I see something that no longer has a use, it becomes a challenge for me to bring something new to that,'' he said.

One of the sculptures would be about 12 feet tall and the other about 8.

The sculptures will be based on five-point stars.

``The sheriff's star is the traditional icon symbolizing law enforcement,'' Arthur wrote in his proposal for the project. ``Historically, the star symbol represents many things, including defense and protection. In American culture, it symbolizes strength and order.''

Arthur said he's familiar with other art across the country made from firearms, but what he proposes is unique.

``There's nothing like this out there,'' he said.

The Public Art Committee approached the sheriff's office about the project, and Lt. Harold Winsett said officials were happy to help.

``But it doesn't come out of our budget.''

He should have made the sculpture to look like the hammer and sickle! Im sure all the commies would love that!!

[beer]

Can we take a shot at the artist?  Fair is fair.  [shotgun]

100 yrds, 200 yrds, 300yds if he makes it!!! hahahhaahah

im in!!

[beer]

It sickens me to think people are turning in their guns. I wonder if they told them it would be melted down when turned in. I can only imagine what types were destroyed.

Most people who turn in guns are either clueless about guns (don't know their value, afraid they will be arrested for having guns, etc.) or are turning in junk guns and using the proceeds to buy more and better guns.

Gun "buybacks"- even the gun-grabbing dolts at HCI/Shady Campaign have disavowed them as useless.

Might I suggest a four-armed, hooked cross? That might be an appropriate shape for this misguided artist to make his idiotic sculpture with.

Shame on the damn PD down there for approving having it set up in front of their HQ- "Constitution? How can you think of the Constitution at a time like this? We're doing it for the chiiiildren!...."

Isn't this also the same city that installed surveillance cameras on its city streets? Gee, Officer Krupke- do ya think there might be a connection?

Naaah.....

It's all STRIKER's fault!

If he hadn't been too busy moderating this site, he could have stopped THIS from happening.

It has spread from North !!!!!

[url]www.canada.expo2000.gc.ca/english/expo_partners_5f.htm[/url]



[img]www.canada.expo2000.gc.ca/images/Gunsculpture.jpg[/img]

Someone had better "Photoshop" a mall ninja into this one....


[img]www.millennium.gc.ca/events/galleries/72a.jpg[/img]

This thread smacks of cop bashing. Negativity towards one brave law enforcement officer, is an attack upon them all.