Not sure if this belongs in the CL or not, but I figured some of you VW guys might enjoy this. For the record, I love the VW Bug sculpture. I remember seeing it as a kid and thinking it was so cool. Ahhh, memories.
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VW sculpture going to Sparks
By Susan Voyles • [email protected] • October 7, 2008
Move over, In-N-Out Burger and your big arrow sign. There's a new icon coming to downtown Sparks, and it's got an appetite.
The Bug that has sat on top of the former Reno fire station on Morrill Avenue since 1992 has found a new home on top of Scudders VW Performance Specialists, 630 Victorian Ave.
Thousands of motorists a day on Interstate 80 will be able to see the bug made from a Volkswagen Beetle chassis once it's perched on top of the repair shop's rooftop, which is near the corner of Victorian Avenue and Pyramid Way where the In-N-Out sign stands.
Owner Clayton Scudders has restored countless VWs in his 24 years in business there and promised to carefully restore the rusting hulk with the giant legs.
"I'm the bug guy. They call me Mr. VW," he said.
In a unanimous vote Monday night, the Reno Arts & Culture Commission agreed to return the Volkswagen Beetle sculpture to local artist David Fambrough because he donated it to the city. It was the first public art piece in the city's collection, said Christine Fey, city cultural affairs director.
Then, the commission recommended Fambrough turn the bug over to Scudders.
SDC Properties of Reno, which is opening the Goldfinger nightclub, also sought the bug. At its new building on Mill Street near the end of the runway, Miss Pink said it would be viewed by thousands of people flying in or out of Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
But the commission gave the mod to Scudders for having a prime location as well as having the skills to keep it in good repair. The city itself doesn't have a flat roof that could hold the weight of the bug without major renovation work, Fey said.
Fambrough missed the vote by a couple of minutes but met Scudders for the first time outside the McKinley Arts & Culture Center.
Having no place to store it himself, Fambrough seemed pleased to be handing it over to Scudders. "Putting this on top of your business ... talk about all the advertising in the world," Fambrough said.
Scudders said he doesn't need the extra advertising.
"We just didn't want to see it sitting in someone's back yard," he said.
But Scudders said he also intends to have some fun with it and will be working with a university arts student. He said it could be lit up for Halloween, he knows people who could make a giant Santa hat for it and he could add flames to the tailpipes for Hot August Nights.
Fambrough built the bug with the giant legs in 1979 and put it on display on South Virginia Street, about where the Wal-Mart is now.
"As a kid, I was driving by it all the time," Scudders said.
Scudders said he bought his first Bug in 1979 and countless more since then.
"People put thousands and thousands of dollars into their Bugs. They are a classic. It's kind of a cult," he said.
The commission quickly debated whether the piece will be considered as public art or advertising. If it's deemed to be advertising, it could be regulated by the city of Sparks.
But it has been an icon for so long, commission member Tamara Scronce said she doesn't think that will happen. In any event, the commission agreed that's now Sparks' problem.
Reno officials want to move the bug because they have found a buyer for the old building at 496 Morrill St. The council Wednesday is scheduled to vote on turning the building over to the Reno Redevelopment Agency, which would pay for getting the bug down from the roof.
Proceeds of the property sale would then go to support the homeless services center on Record Street. The building was used for a men's drop-in homeless shelter for a number of years.
http://www.rgj.com/article/200...70334
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Modified by jwaters943 at 8:38 AM 10-7-2008
VW sculpture going to Sparks
By Susan Voyles • [email protected] • October 7, 2008
Move over, In-N-Out Burger and your big arrow sign. There's a new icon coming to downtown Sparks, and it's got an appetite.
The Bug that has sat on top of the former Reno fire station on Morrill Avenue since 1992 has found a new home on top of Scudders VW Performance Specialists, 630 Victorian Ave.
Thousands of motorists a day on Interstate 80 will be able to see the bug made from a Volkswagen Beetle chassis once it's perched on top of the repair shop's rooftop, which is near the corner of Victorian Avenue and Pyramid Way where the In-N-Out sign stands.
Owner Clayton Scudders has restored countless VWs in his 24 years in business there and promised to carefully restore the rusting hulk with the giant legs.
"I'm the bug guy. They call me Mr. VW," he said.
In a unanimous vote Monday night, the Reno Arts & Culture Commission agreed to return the Volkswagen Beetle sculpture to local artist David Fambrough because he donated it to the city. It was the first public art piece in the city's collection, said Christine Fey, city cultural affairs director.
Then, the commission recommended Fambrough turn the bug over to Scudders.
SDC Properties of Reno, which is opening the Goldfinger nightclub, also sought the bug. At its new building on Mill Street near the end of the runway, Miss Pink said it would be viewed by thousands of people flying in or out of Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
But the commission gave the mod to Scudders for having a prime location as well as having the skills to keep it in good repair. The city itself doesn't have a flat roof that could hold the weight of the bug without major renovation work, Fey said.
Fambrough missed the vote by a couple of minutes but met Scudders for the first time outside the McKinley Arts & Culture Center.
Having no place to store it himself, Fambrough seemed pleased to be handing it over to Scudders. "Putting this on top of your business ... talk about all the advertising in the world," Fambrough said.
Scudders said he doesn't need the extra advertising.
"We just didn't want to see it sitting in someone's back yard," he said.
But Scudders said he also intends to have some fun with it and will be working with a university arts student. He said it could be lit up for Halloween, he knows people who could make a giant Santa hat for it and he could add flames to the tailpipes for Hot August Nights.
Fambrough built the bug with the giant legs in 1979 and put it on display on South Virginia Street, about where the Wal-Mart is now.
"As a kid, I was driving by it all the time," Scudders said.
Scudders said he bought his first Bug in 1979 and countless more since then.
"People put thousands and thousands of dollars into their Bugs. They are a classic. It's kind of a cult," he said.
The commission quickly debated whether the piece will be considered as public art or advertising. If it's deemed to be advertising, it could be regulated by the city of Sparks.
But it has been an icon for so long, commission member Tamara Scronce said she doesn't think that will happen. In any event, the commission agreed that's now Sparks' problem.
Reno officials want to move the bug because they have found a buyer for the old building at 496 Morrill St. The council Wednesday is scheduled to vote on turning the building over to the Reno Redevelopment Agency, which would pay for getting the bug down from the roof.
Proceeds of the property sale would then go to support the homeless services center on Record Street. The building was used for a men's drop-in homeless shelter for a number of years.
http://www.rgj.com/article/200...70334
Modified by jwaters943 at 8:38 AM 10-7-2008
