The moose is cut loose

By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Houlton’s Riverfront Park is missing its sentinel.
    The bronze moose that stood nobly at the entrance of the Gateway Bridge Crossing for nearly three years has retired its watch.
    Local artist Glenn Hines of Hammond loaned “the moose” to the town in June 2009.
    “The (Riverfront Park) committee tried to raise enough funds to purchase the moose, but was not successful,” said Interim Town Manager Cathy O’Leary.
    Hines, who leased the sculpture to the town, could no longer afford for it to sit there. The expectation was that $25,000 per year would be raised to pay for the $75,000 bronze sculpture.
    “It was a good move and I needed to sell it,” Hines said. “I’d still like to place a moose there. But it would require some serious initiative. Initially, there was a little bit of enthusiasm from the [Riverfront] park committee.”
    The moose has been moved to Hines’ residence for the summer, as it appears imminent that a conceptual artist in Brooklyn will purchase the sculpture with a few additions to be crafted.
    “The artist is hiring me to add all the [Maine] official legislative designated symbols to it,” explained Hines.
    The moose will feature a Maine coon cat reclining on its back, along with a leaping salmon coming out of the base; a bronze Moxie can; a blueberry pie; two European honey bees; pine tassel and cone; wintergreen and the state fossil. It will also boast 10 chickadees on almost every antler tip.
    “Surprisingly, no lobster,” added Hines. The lobster hasn’t been designated as Maine’s official shellfish.
    Hines will be working on clay models of each of the subjects throughout the summer. The moose and all the molds will go to New York for casting over the winter. The bronze moose will be installed in the spring at the new border crossing in Van Buren.
    “It’s fanciful,” said Hines. “It is to get the viewer to stop and really look at it.”
    The Brooklyn artist inquired about the bronze moose when checking out several photographs on Hines’ web site.
    “In no way, does it sitting in the park have anything to do with the sale,” he added.
    The town of Houlton has contacted an artist who may be interested in displaying work in the park, but nothing will be available until fall.
    “I really wished it had stayed right where it was,” said Hines. “I would love to see a moose back there. It just wouldn’t be this one. I would have to make another one available.”