HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – In July, WSAZ reported that some sculptures unveiled by the Marshall Health network in Huntington were stolen and vandalized.
Buffy Maynard, who painted the deer located next to Huntington Junior College, was confused when the project coordinator told her it was missing.
She said, “Why would I have it, and he’s like ‘someone stole it,’ so he reported it stolen and I went on to Huntington 911 and made a post.”
Maynard said the weight and shape of the statues made the disappearance even more interesting.
“I was actually kind of amazed because they’re very awkward. You can’t just pack this down the street.”
Maynard said someone donated another deer sculpture to her to repaint after hearing it was stolen.
“We went and picked it up and brought it home, and I repainted it, and it’s a little different. I mean, it has some different swirls and its face is a little different, but you know that’s why we call it 2.0.”
The local artist painted five total sculptures out of the 48. She said painting this one the second time was easier.
“For me, I’m a hiker so it was a lot of more outdoors and, you know, like our local flowers and just things that you would see in West Virginia,” she said.
The sculptures will be auctioned off on Oct. 19, with all the proceeds going to the Hoop’s Family Children’s Hospital. Maynard said despite the vandalism and theft, she recommends anyone to get involved.
“They support you, they cheer you on I mean it’s just wonderful. So if you’re a local artist, do it.”
Kyle Coleman, an event coordinator for MHN Foundations, said the other missing sculptures around town are actually being repaired before they are auctioned off.
Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.