Spirit bear is going home

The Spirit Bear sculpture before it was painted. Photo from gerdart.com

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In a letter brought before council on Monday, Gabrielle Untermann asked that the large wooden "Spirit Bear" sculpture in front of the Township offices be removed and transported to her home in Claremont.

Untermann is the widow of Gerd Untermann, who created the sculpture in 2008 as part of a sculpture symposium that also featured local artists Wynn Walters and Fly Freeman. Gabrielle said her husband, who died in 2020, worked on maintaining the sculpture as long as he was able, then artists Francis Muscat and Jeff Baker took over conserving it.

Untermann said the condition of the sculpture is deteriorating and is rotting from the inside. She said the only way to save it is to move it to an indoor location and have it restored. She asked that it be moved to her home.

Councillor Pam Beach supported the request, saying: "It may be time for it to go home."

Councillor Willie Popp agreed, saying that Untermann should also receive a "scroll of thanks" from the

Township.

Council agreed with the request and it will be moved at no cost to Untermann.