History in the Making

Miriam Ray recently visited famous Zanesville (OH) sculptor, Alan Cottrill and his team, to see how the rubber worker statue is coming along.

The 12-foot statue will be the first to honor men and women and the role they played in building Akron and the rubber and tire industry. The statue is being sculpted for the roundabout on South Main and Mill streets, in downtown Akron, Ohio. The statue will sit on an 18-inch granite base in the shape of the City of Akron, which will sit on a 24-inch-thick base in the shape of Summit County. The base will include up-lighting and water elements that cascade down the sides.

Alan Cottrill used the picture from the front cover of the famous Akron rubber industry book, Wheels of Fortune, as inspiration to create the original bronze maquette for the design. Cottrill has produced commemorative statues for over 30 years, including Jim Thome at Progressive Field (Cleveland), and Thomas Edison in the Ohio Statehouse (Columbus).  You can learn more about Alan’s work at www.alancottrill.com and we highly recommend scheduling a visit to his studio to see his amazing work.

Alan Cottrill’s Studio
110 South 6th St.
Zanesville, OH 43701
alancottrillsculptor@gmail.com // Tel: 740-453-9822

by Mac Love and Miriam Ray