Garfield on Parade

Garfield turned twenty-five in 2003 and to celebrate his birthday twenty-five, five-foot tall Garfields were created. Each Garfield reflects a not-profit organization that worked with their artist to make a unique statement about the work they do. Since June they have been on display around the city of Muncie waiting their turn to be sold on Ebay with the proceeds going to the sponsoring non-profit organization.

(PRWEB) February 20, 2004--It started with cows in Chicago and pigs in Cinncinati. Then came the sharks, flamingos and even mermaids. It seemed every city jumped on the artistic bandwagon of painting sculptures of animals. So whats Muncie, Indiana got? Garfield, thats who! The most popular cartoon cat in the world.

Garfield turned twenty-five in 2003 and to celebrate his birthday twenty-five, five-foot tall Garfields were created. Area artists personalized each statue to make a statement about a sponsoring non-profit organization. Statues include Garf Brooks," Mister Gar-Freds Neighborhood" and The Purple Avenger." Every statue was autographed by both the artist and by Garfields creator, Jim Davis. One statue, Garfield Oisk Erskine -- Pitching for Special Olympics," was also signed by famous Brooklyn Dodger Carl Esrkine.

Since June of 2003 the statues have been on display around the city of Muncie waiting their turn to be sold on Ebay with the proceeds going to the sponsoring non-profit organization. The auctions are scheduled to begin March 27 on Ebay. One statue will be auctioned each week. The week of June 12 will mark the premiere of Garfield the Movie with Bill Murray, Breckin Meyer and Jennifer Love Hewitt. The auction that week will be The Real Garfield." A statue prepared by artist Lori Barker of PAWS Inc. and sponsored by the Muncie Visitors Bureau. Photos of all twenty-five statues can be seen at the Community Civic Center website http://www.communityciviccenter.org/CivicCenter/Index/index.asp.

The Garfield statues, sponsors and artists names:

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Smokefree Air March 27-April 3 to benefit Tobacco Free & Minority Tobacco Free Coalitions of Delaware County, By artists Quincy Ewing, Tonya Miller Bailey, and Matt Bailey.

Fat Cat Goalie April 3-April 10 to benefit the Youth Opportunity Center. By artist Joel Price.

Our Cats Add Color to the World April 10-April 17 to benefit the Boys & Girls Club by artist Brenda Pritchard.

Lasagna & Literacy April 17-April 24 to benefit Motivate Our Minds by artist Sean Orlosky.

Mister Gar-Freds Neighborhood April 24-May 1 to benefit WIPB Public TV by artist Kip Shawger.

Feline Exposed May 1-May 8 to benefit the Animal Rescue Fund Sponsored by Jacks Camera Shop created by artist Jon Stine.

Clara Garfield" Barton, The Angel of the Battlefield May 8-May 15 to benefit the American Red Cross, Hoosier Heartland Chapter by the ArtWorks Cooperative Artists    

Purple Avenger Garfield May 15-May 22 Sponsored by the Ball State University College of Fine Art by the Department of Young Artists, Michael Prater.

Garspeare" To Eat or Not to Eat May 22-May 29 Sponsored by Ball State University Department of Theatre and Dance by artist Kip Shawger

Reflection of Our Community May 29-June 5 to benefit the United Way of Delaware County by the ArtWorks Cooperative Artists.

Learn Not to Burn...the Lasagna! June 5-June 12. To benefit the Muncie Childrens Museum by artists Richard and David Jenkins.

The Real Garfield June 12-June 19. to benefit the Muncie Visitors Bureau by artist Lori Barker, PAWS, Inc.                 

On My Honor I Will Do My Best...after My Nap June 19-June 26 to benefit the Boy Scouts of America and the Urban Enterprise Association by artist Chicqiela Elbert-Velazco

Yeah, But Do You Have a Badge for Sleeping and Eating? June 26-July 3 to benefit the Girl Scouts and 401 Kids Program of Muncie Center for the Arts by artist Bob Grice.

Saving Lives is the Cats Pajamas July3-July 10 to benefit the Animal Rescue Fund by artists Chicqiela Elbert, Sheila Piazza and Terri Panszi.

This Fat Cat has Nine Lives, You Dont. So Get a Mammogram! July10-July 17 to benefit the Little Red Door of Delaware County and Complementary Cancer Services by artist Bob Grice.

Pawgliacci - It Aint Over Till the Fat Cat Sings July 17-July 24 to benefit Muncie Center for the Arts by artist Bob Grice.

Handicat Accessible July 24-July 31 to benefit the East Central VSAarts in Muncie Center for the Arts by artist Debra Dragoo.

Yo Yo Paw, The Fat Cat Cellist July 31- August 7 to benefit the Muncie Center for the Arts by artist Bob Grice.

A Midsummer Nights Cat August 7-August to benefit the Muncie Ballet Studio and MCA After School Arts by artists Dan Wright and Lisa Prymek.

Garf Brooks August 14- August 21 to benefit the Community Civic Center by artist Bob Grice.

Explore Without Limits August 21-August 28 to benefit the Community Education Coalition by artists Sue Dice, Judy Oakley, Enola Delaney, Mardee Blommel, John Blommel, Judy Flannigan, Gayle and Doug Siebert.

Garfield Oisk Erskine - Pitching for Special Olympics August 28-September 4 to benefit Special Olympics by artist M. K. Watson.

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