Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source
Pittsburgh Art Commission denies proposal for Jane Seymour sculpture on Mt. Washington | TribLIVE.com
Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Art Commission denies proposal for Jane Seymour sculpture on Mt. Washington

Julia Felton
5093423_web1_web-PghSky
Nate Smallwood | Tribune-Review
Downtown Pittsburgh from the Duquesne Incline in Mt. Washington on May 11, 2021.

Pittsburgh’s Art Commission on Wednesday denied a proposal to place a sculpture by actress Jane Seymour on Mt. Washington’s Grandview Avenue Overlook.

The proposed bronze statue would depict Seymour’s open heart design, which is best known from the Kay Jewelers Open Hearts jewelry collection.

An anonymous donor offered to fund the sculpture, said Gordon Davidson, executive director of the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation. He pitched the idea of making the sculpture a centerpiece of the overlook — which provides a popular view of the city — to the Art Commission, with the hope of unveiling the statue in July with Seymour present.

“The sculpture is interactive in that visitors are encouraged to touch and pose with it,” Davidson said, suggesting it would be used in photos of proms or engagements that are commonly staged at the overlook.

Davidson suggested the city could provide a cement pedestal and said maintenance should be minimal. Similar versions of the sculpture exist in other cities, including Bradenton, Fla.

Members of the Art Commission swiftly dismissed the idea of a statue on a site known for its pristine views of the city. Some criticized the idea of placing such a commercialized piece of artwork on any public property in Pittsburgh.

“The art on that platform is actually the city skyline,” Commissioner Peter Quintanilla said, explaining he likes to bring visitors to the city to the overlook so they can admire the view. “I don’t think it should actually have any pieces of art there. The platform itself is a place to view the city, not necessarily to host a piece of art.”

He suggested finding another location, like a park, for the sculpture.

Commissioner Vivian Loftness similarly objected to the “problematic location” proposed for the piece, and said she felt it would hinder popular photo opportunities.

“It is blocking the view,” Art Commission Secretary Sarika Goulatia said.

While the location was part of the problem, Goulatia said the artwork itself — which has been mass-produced in jewelry items — was also an issue for her.

“As a city, we need to do one-offs of things and not have something that’s mass-produced,” she said.

The overlook is a sort of “holy ground” in the city, said Commissioner Richard Parsakian, who argued the artwork did not belong in such a space.

“I just do not feel this belongs in the city at all,” he said. “It’s a commercial piece of jewelry from Kay Jewelry. This is not a unique piece of sculpture.”

A recent poll of local residents resulted in more than 280 people voicing opposition for the idea, said Pat Gianella, a Democratic committeeman from Mt. Washington. He expressed concerns that the local community organization would push ahead with the proposal despite what he saw as widespread opposition.

“The Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation does not represent the Mt. Washington community,” he said.

Scenic Pittsburgh also objected to the proposal. Speaking on behalf of the organization, Dave Demko noted that Seymour and her artwork have no connection with the city.

“This sculpture is a blatant advertisement for Jane Seymour’s Open Heart jewelry collection,” Demko said.

Davidson, of the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation, offered to withdraw the proposal amid the backlash. Members of the Art Commission took a vote anyway, in an effort to ensure the idea would not be brought before them again.

All members of the Art Commission present for Wednesday’s meeting voted to deny the proposal. Art Commission President Andrew Moss was not present for the vote.

Julia Felton is a TribLive reporter covering Pittsburgh City Hall and other news in and around Pittsburgh. A La Roche University graduate, she joined the Trib in 2020. She can be reached at jfelton@triblive.com.

Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.

Get Ad-Free >

Categories: Local | Pittsburgh | Top Stories
";