The Friendly City Puts Up Its Dukes
By KATRINA BRAMHALL
HARRISONBURG, Va.--Mermaid sculptures decorated the city of Norfolk in 2000, Hokie birds adorned the campus of Virginia Tech in 2005, and now James Madison University has adopted the trend. In celebration of its centennial anniversary in March 2008, the university has called on dozens of artists to create Duke Dog statues that will be placed at strategic points in the city and on campus.
The “Put Up Your Dukes” program, part of the 2007-2008 Centennial Celebration, has allowed local businesses, JMU organizations and individuals to commission artists to decorate the statues.
There are 23 colorful canines now on display, and by March, the number will increase to 37.
The statues are small replicas of the Duke Dog statue displayed outside the Bridgeforth Stadium. Lee Leuning, the statue’s artist, has helped produce the mini dogs, measuring two feet long and 22 inches high. Although they are small in size, the dogs cost a hefty sum of $1,500 to create.
The six-pound statues are made of a light-weight foam material and covered with a polyresin coating. The dogs sport a cape, a crown, and a spiked collar. Each is identified by a plaque with its name, the names of the artist and sponsor, and a brief description.
Angie Hutchison is a 1994 alumnus, business owner, and a three-statue artist. She read about the program in the spring 2007 issue of Madison Alumni Magazine. “I was excited to see JMU do this, as I have seen other universities do it,” Hutchison said.
In between summertime trips to the pool with her children, Hutchison began painting two statues in June. “There were times when I could work on one for hours at end,” she said.
One of her statues, “MadiSun,” sponsored by SunTrust Banks, Inc., sports a black pinstripe suit and a purple-and-gold paw-print tie. His cape is light blue with a red sunburst SunTrust logo in the center. It will be rotated among the SunTrust banks in Harrisonburg.
Hutchison used household items when she designed “Wellington McLitten, the Trial Dog,” sponsored by Litten & Sipe LLP. The gavel held in its mouth is crafted from a water bottle, a paper towel holder and paper mache. Its cape features an intricate painting of the courthouse, and the collar is patterned with the scales of justice. The dog can be found in the lobby of the Litten and Sipe Law office on Neff Avenue.
“Grad Dog,” sponsored by JMU Alumni Relations, is Hutchison’s final dog, which is placed in a display case in Leeolou Alumni Center, though she said she would have preferred it to be in an open area.
At Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, flocks of Hokie Bird statues were broken, and some were even stolen, but it seems JMU has learned from its rival’s misfortune. The Duke Dogs on campus are inside buildings and contained in plastic-glass display cases or barred boxes. “In most places where they’ve done something like this [the statues] are outside and prone to vandalism,” said Fred Hilton, Director of the Centennial Office.
In addition to Hutchison, several artists painted multiple statues. Artist Elaine Hurst accepted the challenge of decorating five Duke Dogs. “I’m getting the process down pretty well,” said the 1976 graduate who was contacted by e-mail.
Prior to working on the dogs, Hurst sat down with her sponsors to discuss concepts they had in mind for the design. She then drew sketches and sent them off to be approved.
“I’m really enjoying adding things to the dogs,” Hurst said. Her dogs have been accessorized with earrings, a cell phone, and a bone.
A family member who works for JMU informed Hurst of “Put Up Your Dukes.” Boston artist Shane Estock also happened to hear about the program from a relative.
Estock’s dogs sport a Virginia Tech “tattoo” on their back legs in tribute to the nearby university. The dogs are “JMUbie,” sponsored by Engineering Solutions, and “Dollar Duke,” sponsored by Commonwealth One.
The Duke Dog pups will be showcased until JMU’s birthday or longer.