Bulldog sculptures return, Insta-ready, to Irvington's Main Street
IRVINGTON ‒ Like those Pamplona bulls or those San Juan Capistrano swallows, the bulldogs of Irvington are making a return.
The village's Bulldog Walking Gallery — featuring more than two dozen fiberglass bulldog sculptures brightly painted by local artists — began last year as a public-art installation to draw Instagram-eager foot traffic to Main Street. Its sophomore season kicks off from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, June 2, at Irvington Summer Festival, an all-volunteer sidewalk fair that will include a scavenger hunt, arts activities, food and more.
It turns out the bulldogs, the village's mascot, were a hit on Instagram, said Kristina Schmidt, the artist-organizer-brains behind the now-annual display.
Who let these dogs out? Irvington's Main Street goes to the dogs to lure Insta-happy crowds
“Last year’s Bulldog Walking Gallery was a real talking point, with thousands of locals and visitors admiring the colorful sculptures,” Schmidt said. “Once again, we are bringing the community together and adding that extra special charm to our village.”
Each sculpture has a title and QR codes for its sponsor and the artist who created it. The inaugural "class" of sculptures was auctioned off and raised nearly $17,000 to help beautify the village. They were presented to the winning bidders at an "adoption day" in mid-November.
One sculpture honors Irvington's ultimate bulldog: Coach Gina Maher
This year's class of 27 bulldogs was painted by Hudson Valley artists who found inspiration everywhere, from local architecture to Mr. Monopoly to the fare served at The Red Barn Bakery. One bulldog that should draw a lot of bidding attention and Insta love honors Gina Maher, Irvington’s celebrated basketball coach, whose team delivered her a historic 800th win this year.
"She's like an icon in our community," Schmidt said. "Being able to celebrate an achievement like that — and somebody who already has a gymnasium named after her, a living legend among us — it's wonderful."
The bulldogs will be positioned on pedestals along Main Street, from Broadway all the way down the hill to the train station and even on the river side of the tracks. While last year's class sort of slow-rolled into place over the course of weeks, all 27 will be ready for Sunday's kick-off.
While the design and size of the sculptures is the same, this year has brought some changes.
Last year, Schmidt created and molded the hollow statues. This year, a professional statue maker fabricated them in solid fiberglass.
Last year, Schmidt drafted anyone she knew to create a design, and did many herself. This year, she did four of the designs, her children did three, but "we have more professional artists involved this year, and the level's been raised, for sure."
Still, she said with a laugh: "My entire living room turned into Bulldog Painting Central."
Last summer, all the bulldog statues stayed put on Main Street or Bridge Street on the river side. This year, one doggy won't heel. Called “Perfect Day” and emblazoned with a sunset over The Palisades, it will be on the roam, outside Greenburgh Town Hall (thanks to Supervisor Paul Feiner, Schmidt said) and other parts of Westchester to entice onlookers to explore the river town — where parking is free and restaurants, cafes, shops and other attractions are eager for visitors.
Even though it has clearly gone to the dogs.
If you go
What: Irvington's Summer Festival
Where: Main Street, Irvington.
When: Noon to 4 p.m., June 2.
Details: www.bulldoggallery.org
Reach Peter D. Kramer at pkramer@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Irvington NY festival to start 2nd summer of bulldog walking gallery
