Downtown Gilroy will come alive with images from the city’s
pioneer days Saturday as the city unveils three bronze sculptures
on Monterey Street depicting local historical figures.
By Jonathan Partridge
Downtown Gilroy will come alive with images from the city’s pioneer days Saturday as the city unveils three bronze sculptures on Monterey Street depicting local historical figures.
The three sculptures – which will stand on Monterey Street between Fourth and Sixth streets – have been a labor of love for Morgan Hill artist Marlene Amerian since 2007. Planning for the $85,000 project, which will include a sculpture of one of the city’s founders, John Cameron Gilroy, in front of the old City Hall, started nearly five years ago.
“I think it will be a wonderful thing for Gilroy, and we’re very anxious to see that part of town be spiffed up a bit,” Gilroy Historical Society board member Muriel Brem said.
The city’s Public Art Committee, a branch of the Arts and Culture Commission, raised funds for the project and came up with the concept.
The sculptures represent the themes of transportation, commerce and hospitality. One sculpture, “Ready to Roll,” depicts 1850s-era resident James A. Houck as he prepares to mount a horse. “The Handshake,” commemorating early commercial development, captures the final moment of a deal between banker Thomas Rea and landowner Electa Ousley circa 1872. A sculpture of John Cameron Gilroy, titled “Alcalde” – a magistrate-like position that the Spanish bestowed upon him – depicts the historic hospitality of both the town and the pioneer as he greets viewers with a smile.
To complete the sculptures required historical studies, conceptual drawings, city approvals, sculpting and transporting the sculptures to the foundry. Amerian used live models as she created the sculptures.
She received an actual photograph of Ousley and one of her dresses, which was given to her by an Ousley descendant. For the other characters, Amerian used her imagination an information she learned from historical writings. She also received inspiration from a photo of one of Cameron Gilroy’s sons.
“Basically, you’ve got to go on what you can,” Amerian said.
Amerian has been sculpting since 1985. Several of her works have appeared in private showings, and she has a sculpture of the Hiram Morgan Hill family as they wait for a train on display in her own city.
“She’s an amazing artist and an amazing woman,” said Shirley Willard, chair of the public art committee.
Willard said she was amazed to witness one of the sculptures being birthed at the foundry in Monterey.
Rotary Clubs of Gilroy and the James Suner Group each contributed $25,000 for the project, while the Gilroy Downtown Business Association put in $15,000 and $15,000 came from the city of Gilroy’s downtown streetscape project. The remaining $5,000 came from various other contributors.
“(The Public Art Committee) spearheaded this effort themselves,” said Maria De Leon, recreation manager for the city of Gilroy’s community services department. “That’s a pretty active community. We’re really lucky that they did that.”
Mayor Al Pinheiro said the project adds to other portions of the city streetscape project that have been implemented.
“Obviously, I think it’s a good thing for our community,” he said. “This is just going to add to our vision – the vision of a downtown that is alive and vibrant.”
Members of the local business community said they generally thought the sculptures were a good idea.
Larry DeMoss of Clocks and Collectibles near Monterey and Fourth streets said he would be happy if the sculptures drew only one more customer to his business.
Paul Heitert, a client service officer at Pinnacle Bank, expressed doubts that the sculptures would draw anyone into the area, but he said it is always nice to have more public art.
“It will be a nice addition,” he said.
Saturday’s ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in the Pinnacle Bank Plaza at Fourth and Monterey streets. It will include boy scouts, a flag ceremony and a bagpipe performance. Former Mayor Mike Gilroy, a descendant of Cameron Gilroy, will be among the speakers.
In addition to the unveiling ceremony, residents can view a special display on Electa Ousley from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gilroy Museum, 195 Fifth St. An art show will run at the Willey House, 140 Fifth St., from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and wine tasting will be offered on Fifth Street as well.
It may not be the last of such ceremonies. The Public Art Committee has not announced any formal plans for more projects, but Willard said Gilroy residents should expect more to come.
“This is a beginning for us, not an end,” Willard said. “This is a comma, not a period.”
