About 2 a.m. Saturday, March 30, a car streaked down 17th Avenue NE, jumped the curb, took out a small tree, dragged it through a parking lot, plowed through the East Side Neighborhood Services’ raised gardens and drove into ESNS’ lizard sculpture. The lizard was detached from its shed, which moved approximately two feet off its base. Police were called and a tow truck hauled away the wrecked car. No injuries were reported.
Mary Johnson, who has a studio in the Casket Arts Building, created the sculpture in 2008, and it was displayed at Franconia Sculpture Park near Shafer, Minn., before it was moved to ESNS in 2020. (ESNS paid an installation fee and placement commission to the artist.) Called “Lizard Lounge,” it was meant to emulate a 1950s roadside attraction. (It’s featured on roadsideamerica.com.) It’s made of stucco and steel rebar. Children whose families use ESNS services used the shed for various play activities.
Mary Ostapenko Anstett, ESNS president, told the Northeaster, “NE Sculpture and I were on site during the day Saturday; at this time I do not know the future of the lizard. Many families stopped by while we were there and have reached out also, wondering what can be done to restore the sculpture. We are saddened beyond words.”
Lindsay Walz, ESNS senior director for youth and families, said “Lizzy” was to be the centerpiece of a coming summer celebration of Camp Bovey’s 75th anniversary.
In an email, Johnson said, “It’s possible that the lizard could be repaired – but first I’d have to get it out of there and moved to Casket Arts to work on it. It could be a long and enduring process, and easily cost $20,000+ to repair. I’d be lucky to get it totally fixed in six months.”
Anstett said April 11 that the driver of the car had not yet responded to the 2nd Precinct, nor shown any proof of insurance.
Someone drove a car into the “Lizard Lounge” at East Side Neighborhood Services, splitting the lizard’s front end from the shed and punching a hole through the wood. (Cynthia Sowden)
Mary Johnson, who created the “Lizard Lounge”, in front of the sculpture when it was installed at ESNS in 2020. (File, Mike Madison)
