Bloggytown

        
Tweet

Email

Print
Share

Friday, March 19, 2021

Bloggytown

Here's an early look at the Mister Rogers statue coming to Winter Park's Rollins College

Posted By Matthew Moyer on Fri, Mar 19, 2021 at 4:12 PM

click to enlarge

Paul Day at work on his Mr. Rogers statue - PHOTO COURTESY ROLLINS COLLEGE

Photo courtesy Rollins College
Paul Day at work on his Mr. Rogers statue

In more Rollins College-related construction news, notable Rollins alum, public television persona and all-around decent man Fred Rogers will be the subject of a piece of public art on campus later this year.

The bigger-than-life statue — destined to be one of the few dedicated to a white man that will not be pulled down in the near-term future — is currently under construction.

Dubbed "A Beautiful Day For a Neighbor," the over 7-foot tall behemoth sees Rogers, beatific smile in place, surrounded by a small crowd of children, and most of the crew from his television Neighborhood close at hand — from Daniel the Tiger to King Friday to the incomparable Lady Elaine Fairchilde. The statue was designed by British artist Paul Day.

Day is currently hard at work on the statue in France, with an anticipated completion timeline of May.

click to enlarge

Artist Paul Day poses with his work-in-progress - PHOTO COURTESY ROLLINS COLLEGE

Photo courtesy Rollins College
Artist Paul Day poses with his work-in-progress

Rogers' history with Rollins goes back many years. Rogers was a student there, graduating with a degree in music composition in 1951. Rogers met his future wife, Joanne, there. Even after his ascent to public television godhood with his iconic Mister Rogers' Neighborhood program, he was still a familiar face in the Rollins neighborhood, popping up on campus unannounced and disappearing just as quickly.

Though Rogers passed away in year his presence still lingers at the school; Rogers' personal archives are the the Olin Library and a painted portrait of the man hangs in the Tiedtke Concert Hall.

Over/under on Animal House-style pranks centered around the statue? Who can say …

click to enlarge

Photo courtesy Rollins College

click to enlarge

Photo courtesy Rollins College

–
Stay on top of Central Florida news and views with our weekly newsletters, and consider supporting this free publication. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you Central Florida news, and every little bit helps.

Tags: Rollins College, Winter Park, Orlando, Mr. Rogers, Fred Rogers, Alumni, Statue, Neighbor, Neighborhood, PBS, Children, Daniel Tiger, Florida, Image

We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Orlando Weekly. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Orlando Weekly, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.

Email us at feedback@orlandoweekly.com.

Orlando Weekly works for you, and your support is essential.

Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Central Florida.

Unlike many newspapers, ours is free – and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community.

Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Orlando’s true free press free.

« Orange County will go ahead with va… | Industrial-metal gods Ministry move… »

More Blogs »