Leap Frog!
Erie’s New Public Art Project “Ribbets” Attention.
Art has imitated evolution in climbing from the water onto the lily pad in downtown Erie
since the FishCommish (which brought GoFish! to life) announced the 2004 Lake Erie Art Project— LeapFrog! GoFish!’s broad appeal to adults and children made it wildly popular in the summer of 2001, when pledges, auctions, and even a book about the fish created by local artists raised over $100,000 for the Gannon University Scholarship Fund. The LeapFrog! project, named for the children’s game of “leap frog” and for the leap year of 2004, connects with kids in much the same way as GoFish!—uniting a kids’ game with the local area (Erie is home to seven species of frogs).
Designed by GoFish! sculptor David Seitzinger, the fiberglass frogs were molded in standing and sitting positions. Like the GoFish! project, LeapFrog! will benefit the GU Scholarship Fund and the Erie Art Museum. During the summer the frogs are hopping into being from 26th Street north to the Bayfront and from Liberty Street to East Avenue. Project Coordinator Jody Farrell, who co-chaired GoFish!, is leading the committee, with Gannon Vice President for University Advancement Susan Black-Keim, who originated GoFish!, serving as a project adviser along with John Vanco, Director of the Erie Art Museum. So far, they have sold patrons 100 of the frogs, which will be decorated by local artists and installed throughout the summer.
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“Many sponsors chose to pay $3,500 up front for their LeapFrog! sculptures so they could keep them instead of putting them into the auction,” said Black-Keim, “but we’ll still have plenty. Since it’s run by a volunteer committee, all the money goes to support education and art. We’re delighted at the enthusiasm everyone has shown.”
Mary Carol Gensheimer, artist and Assistant Professor of Communications at Gannon, created the “Victorian Flower Frog,” (photo, right) which stands before Old Main, possibly surveying West Sixth Street for tasty flies. “I wanted a bright, cheerful frog and thought that the yellow hue would appeal to children,” she said at the unveiling, which featured LeapFrog! cookies and green punch. “GoFish! promoted Gannon University, the arts, Erie, and local artists in a unique and compelling way,” Farrell noted. “We had no idea how popular it would be, and it was especially gratifying to see all the kids touching, exploring, and searching for the fish. We hope to kindle their imaginations the same way with LeapFrog! It’s all about bringing art to the people— offering them the whole city as an art exhibit.” Or perhaps as one big frog pond.
“Croak-A-Dot” by David N. Seitzinger, sponsored by Diane and David Blake, Mary Alice and Tom Doolin, Geri Cicchetti, the Arts Council of Erie, and the Erie Zoo.