J.P. Patches pals will have a new monument dedicated to their childhood hero in Fremont this summer. The J.P. Patches Foundation unveiled a bronze statue of him March 6 in Olympia, with Gov. Christine Gregiore in attendance.The statue depicts Patches (played by Chris Wedes) and his co-host Gertrude, (Bob Newman) running in opposite directions as if late for an appointment. The statue also includes various artifacts from the show, including a likeness of the ICU2 TV set, which will act as a piggy bank. Donations left in the statue, as well as any left-over funds from the project, will benefit Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center in Sand Point, Wedes' favorite charity.The statue is scheduled to be completed and installed in Fremont by mid-summer at North 34th Street and Fremont Avenue North, about 75 yards east of the "Waiting for the Interurban" statue. It will be visible from the street and close to the Burke-Gilman Trail."I'm thrilled down to the 6-year-old inside of me," said Kevin Pettelle, sculptor for the project. "It's just very exciting."JOINING THE RANKSCarl Lovgren, who grew up watching the show, conceived the project about two years ago, asking the question: Why isn't there a statue of J.P. Patches? He contacted Bryan Johnston, with the J.P. Patches Foundation, who thought it was a good idea. Johnston said that it wasn't easy finding a location for the statue, and after searching for a while, found that the people in Fremont were more open to the idea as they are more art-friendly. The statue will join the ranks of the "Interurban" statue, the statue of Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin and the Fremont Rocket, among others. Suzie Burke donated the land, and the installation of the statue is timed to coincide with the completion of a building on the site.Sculptor Pettelle became involved with the project after a relative told him about seeing the project on TV. Having grown up watching J.P. Patches well into his teens, he decided to offer his services to the project, figuring they probably already had a sculptor lined up. After taking several bids, the foundation awarded the commission to Pettelle.A TRIBUTE TO THE CHARACTERThe owner and operator of Soul in Bronze Studio in Sultan, Wash., Pettelle said he has kept Wedes and Newman involved in the process from the very beginning. At the start, he measured them and took pictures to try to capture the most accurate details. He also read the book "J.P. Patches: Northwest Icon" and watched tapes of old shows to refresh his memory. The current half-size model that has been on display will eventually be digitally scanned, then recast in life-size. "I want the subject to be able to look at the statue and be able to find things that relate to them," he said. "Tributes should capture not just the likeness of the subject; they capture the character of the person."Pettelle, 51, has been a sculptor since 1980. Some of his work includes "A Simple Song," dedicated to an Everett, Wash., dance instructor, and "The Pathfinder" at Renton airfield, dedicated to an original Boeing test pilot.The J.P. Patches monument is expected to cost around $150,000, with $130,000 raised so far. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which hosts the Emmy awards has provided some of the funding. Also, Pemco CEO Stan McNaughton and some anonymous donors have sent up a matching fund. Supporters may also donate through the purchase of customizable pavers, which will surround the site.For more information about the project and J.P. Patches, visit www.jppatches.com. To donate, go to www.urbansparks.org.[[In-content Ad]]
