A rhino has been spotted around Essex.
The 1,800-pound rhino is a bronze sculpture created Essex resident Chris Williams. It was at Lil' Sprouts on Scotts Way on Wednesday, where his two children attend preschool. And it was at Essex Elementary School for Messy Art Night last night.
Williams, 41, who grew up in Rockport, specializes in custom-made, one-of-a-kind bronze sculptures and in home architectural pieces of art, according to his Web site. He works with bronze, steel and stainless steel and occasionally uses several metals together to achieve specific goals.
Over the past 14 years, he has done work for colleges, public parks, airports, and commercial locations as well as work for private homes. Williams said the rhino, which was commissioned by a New Hampshire resident, took him and employee Phil Palminteri about four months to complete.
The rhino was transported to the two locations on a flatbed truck and had to be lifted into the Essex Elementary School cafeteria with the help of a backhoe and a crew from the town's Department of Public Works.
"I am hoping to inspire some of the kids to create art on their own and to take it seriously," Williams said. He said he has had steady commission work for the past eight years, and hasn't had much of a chance to show off his work to the community.
"I've been very lucky," said Williams, about being able to make art for a job. "It is so rewarding."
Williams said the rhino can't be installed at its new home in New Hampshire until early May when the ground thaws and he hopes that, in the meantime, he can display it at Logan Airport. He is now working on a project for Logan to be installed in March.
Some of his work can be seen at Latitude 43, a restaurant on Rogers Street in Gloucester, including a sculpture of an octopus above the sushi bar, a bonsai tree and a fire place screen.
To learn more about Williams and his work, visit http://www.chriswilliamssculpture.com/
Singing, dessert for Haiti
Two fundraisers for Haiti will take place in the next few days.
The choral group La Petite Choral will perform Monday in the Manchester Memorial Elementary School theater to raise money for Haiti in an event called "Help Haiti." This group consists of Memorial School kindergartners to second-graders. It is lead by teacher Wendy Manninen.
A Haiti relief effort fundraiser and ice cream social, hosted by Captain Dusty's Ice Cream, will take place this afternoon, from 2 to 5, at the Manchester Community Center.
There will be face painting, Valentine crafts for children, children's music and all-you-can-eat ice cream. All proceeds will be donated to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. It is $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and free for children 2 and younger to attend. If you would like additional information, please contact event organizer Lisa Bartlett at 978-771-5161.
At Manchester library
Cape Ann Fresh Catch will discuss the collaboration between residents, businesses, and the fishing community that sustains the fishing industry on Cape Ann next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Manchester Public Library.
Cape Ann Fresh Catch helps the local economy because the food supply is caught locally, and it lowers the carbon footprint of putting food on your table. Cape Ann Fresh Catch seeks to work in harmony with Mother Nature, and by doing so, provide the customer with the freshest fish possible.
Certified financial planner Thomas Costantini of Montserrat Advisory Services will give a talk on planning for retirement at 1 this afternoon. Participants will develop their own basic retirement plan during this workshop.
Space is limited. For more information, visit Costantini's Web site at www.montserratadvisory.com, call 978-526-2017, or e-mail moconnor@mvlc.org.
Jonathan Phelps compiles information about events, services and programs in Manchester and Essex. If you have a news tip or submission for for the weekly Town Talk column, you can reach him at 978-283-7000, x3447 or gt_reporter@gloucestertimes.com.
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