RICHMOND, Va. The artist behind the sculpture of an American Indian at The Diamond is backing a proposal to move it to a rooftop site overlooking the James River east of downtown Richmond.
Paul DiPasquale announced yesterday his support for relocating Connecticut to the Lucky Strike power plant building on Tobacco Row. The Richmond Metropolitan Authority is scheduled to vote tomorrow to sell or donate the sculpture to one of six groups that submitted proposals.
Odell Associates put in a bid for its four-story Lucky Strike building. Others vying for the 2,400-pound piece of public art include Henrico, Monacan and Powhatan high schools.
In a column published in yesterday's Commentary section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, DiPasquale wrote that the sculpture's name stems from an Eastern Algonquin Indian word meaning "'beside the long tidal river.'" He noted that only the proposal for the Lucky Strike building would put the sculpture by the river.
In that location, he wrote, "Connecticut would acknowledge the native inhabitants of the Powhatan Nation and the history of their ancestors, whose center of resources, commerce, and survival was 'Taekanto' -- the Indian name for the James River."
DiPasquale added that Odell Associates, a firm of planners, architects and structural engineers, has the expertise to install the sculpture this spring. The RMA wants to move the artwork -- once a symbol of the Richmond Braves baseball team -- before the area's new team, the Richmond Flying Squirrels, start play in April.
The RMA's board of directors is expected to vote after a committee presents its recommendation from three sites picked as finalists. The Lucky Strike building and Powhatan High are among the finalists, according to people involved in those proposals. Representatives of the proposals for Monacan and Henrico would not comment.
The board has 11 members -- six from Richmond, two each from the counties of Chesterfield and Henrico, and one ex-officio representative from the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The RMA owns and operates The Diamond, as well as toll roads and parking facilities, on behalf of Richmond, Chesterfield and Henrico.
Victoria Hall, a sophomore at Powhatan High, said she respects DiPasquale's opinion but noted that the issue is for the RMA to decide. She said Powhatan High would be a good home for the sculpture because the school mascot is an Indian. Similarly, Monacan's mascot is a Chief, Henrico's a Warrior.
"I feel like it had its time in Richmond," she added. "It can have a change. I feel like Powhatan could get a turn."
Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or wjones@timesdispatch.com.
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