On a Wild Goose Chase

Glamorous Goose
Aspen Meadows Senior Living

In 2002 the Art in Public Places of Longmont, Colorado did a collaborative project with local artists and art groups called Geese Galore, and 34 Colorado artists were selected to create them.   Now in 2010 there are only enough sightings of these seven-ft. tall  geese around town to be a teaser. They are passing into local lore.  Some Geese, it is said sadly, were vandalized or destroyed.  Others have ended up in back yards.  



Geese Galore - Plaque Attached to the Golden Goose

The Old Firehouse Gallery has a book of 28 postcards, but no one seems to know exactly which Geese were destroyed or where the Geese are located today.  The Firehouse Gallery used to have maps, long outdated, but now no longer available.  I checked with the local newspaper, but alas, it was not a project they specifically sponsored, so no treasure map there either.  They do have a Goose in their parking lot across the street (see below.)   The most visible Geese are widely known and spoken of affectionately.  It must have been a merry time when the Flock was installed.  Reportedly children decorated decoys that were displayed in store windows and yards, but I have yet to spy one.

It seemed fun to go on a Wild Goose Chase to track the Geese.  While the Geese may not be wild, the chase may be.  Here are the first three Geese I've both spotted and shot.

Glamorous Goose was painted by Becky and Chuck Everett.  The postcard book suggests that she is located at Tanglewood Adult Community, an upscale housing complex.  However, I stumbled upon Glamorous Goose at Aspen Meadows Senior Living next door.  (Didn't hurt the Goose.)  This place seems filled with sweet individuals in their 80's.  They like their Goose and do not appear to be potential vandals.



Ben Franklin Goose
4th Avenue & Terry St., Longmont



Ben Franklin Goose by Darlene Valentine is, as I said,  installed in the parking lot of the local Times-Call newspaper.  The Ben Franklin Goose is holding a copy of, behold, The Daily Times-Call with photos and articles describing the inventions of Ben Franklin Goose, such as "The Key to Electricity" depicting Ben Franklin Goose flying a kite. [Note: Technically, shouldn't it be called Ben Franklin Gander?  This series seems to use Goose as a generic, like mankind.]

The Golden Goose is stationed in front of Crackpots and across from a bank downtown.   Since she is not included in the Geese Galore postcard book, I can't tell you the artist right off.
You can see that the golden brown (bronze?) Golden Goose has two golden nest eggs. 

Golden Goose



Best part of this public art project is that these huge Geese make you smile.

More to come.