- April 25, 2024
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Local artist carved statue out of coquina.
Wayne Grant
News Editor
Local artist Joan Baliker was looking at a large coquina rock in her backyard garden, and said, “I think I see an Indian in that rock.”
She carved a Timucuan Indian, and it’s been on loan to DeLand in their Sculpture Walk for the past two years. It’s now available again, and Baliker recently suggested to the Ormond Beach Quality of Life Advisory Board that the city of Ormond Beach display it at Indian Mound Park on South Beach Street and Mound Avenue, the site of a Timucuan burial mound.
“I just think there should be an Indian there,” she said. Currently, only a historical plaque accompanies the grassy mound in the park.
Another of Baliker’s sculptures, “Peace,” a bronze showing a woman in meditation, is on permanent display in the DeLand Sculpture Walk. It had been on loan to the city, but a group of residents decided they wanted it permanently and raised money to purchase it from Baliker.
At the Quality of Life meeting, Baliker proposed her Timucuan Indian sculpture be placed on a coquina rock pedestal on the site and she is offering to sell it to the city for $2,000.
Dr. Philip Shapiro, chairman of the Quality of Life Board, told Baliker that for Ormond Beach to purchase a sculpture, it would be necessary to go through a formal request for proposals, so that anyone could submit an offer. He said if she were to offer to donate the sculpture to the city, it would be easier to accomplish.
Baliker responded that she makes a living as an artist, so she can’t donate it.
“It takes a lot of work,” she said.
City Manager Joyce Shanahan, city liaison with the board, suggested Baliker get in touch with Ormond MainStreet, because they have funds for art in the Community Redevelopment Area, which is along Granada Boulevard.
“I think it would be better off in a more public place,” she said.
Shapiro asked how the sculpture would be protected, and Baliker said it would be on a high pedestal secured with an iron rod and epoxy. Graffiti could be cleaned off with bleach water. Baliker also pointed out that there are sculptures across the street at Ames Park.
Board member Debbie Berner suggested that Baliker get a sponsor, and Shapiro referred her to the City Commission because it would be a capital expense.
The board took no action on the proposal.
