LIONS IN THE CITY

Watch out - Lions in the City, University City, Missouri, that is! This summer the City of University City (say that 3 times real quick), celebrated the 100th birthday of the monumental Lions Gates called "The Gates of Opportunity", located at the edge of the civic plaza and at the entrance to the city's residential neighborhoods. Nine sculptures were selected from submissions by artists in a community-wide art project. These are my favorites Lions and I had fun following the map, taking the photos as part of my Summer Treasure Hunt.

Above - Stars of Senior Success (William Baur is the artist) -one of the nine lifesize fiberglass lions that were placed throughout the City.

This is my favorite Lion entitled Read Between the Lions, sculpted by Tracy Dorsey. I think Qaptain Qwerty, being a punster, would appreciate this Lion. The sculpture is sponsored by City School District and placed in front of University City Library, how appropriate! Furthermore, the artists designed the Lions using printed media covering the body, thus the title, Read Between the Lions, how clever!

Below - Roaring with Colors by William Curtis. The design was simple but so beautiful when captured on a sunny summer afternoon.

(Below) A Breit Lion, designed by Mary Engelbreit, a well-known graphic artist who designed colorful and cheerful greeting cards, magazines, books, calendars and a product line of accessories. (Hey, Qaptain Qwerty, do you see any puns here?")

Of course, Benjamin insisted on riding on the back of the lion. Just like the story of a monkey accidentally fell from the tree, onto the back of the lion. As the lion running through the jungle, all the animals tried to get out of the way. Upon seeing what happened, the monkey thought the animals were afraid of him and that he, the little weak and bottom of the food chain monkey, has become the King of the Jungle. Thus, the moral story about individuals (i.e. modern czars who were appointed as political paybacks) riding on a powerful person's coat-tail and thought he himself was so mighty!

(Bottom photo) The lions above the monumental Lions Gates was sculpted in 1909 by George Julian Zolnay, atop the pylons designed by architects Eames & Young.