‘Garden Party’ Guests Named
January 24, 2008
Custom-designed sculptures unveiled for United Way event
By KATE R. HOULIHAN ? Staff writer
It’s official - three unique insects and one amphibian will be in attendance at this summer’s Naperville United Way “Garden Party.”
Chief professional officer Susan Fritz unveiled the four designs Wednesday morning to The Sun. Sitting at the highest sponsor level is what Fritz calls a “very practical” ladybug playhouse. Five of the 5-foot-by-5-foot objects will be available.
| Ladybug playhouse |  |
| Dragonfly bench |  |
| Butterfly birdbath |  |
| Frog chair |  |
Also on the docket is a dragonfly garden bench, made up of a pair of dragonflies with outstretched wings to form the back of the seat, and cattails holding up the chair.
“I think these will be super popular,” Fritz said.
Rounding out the selections are frog chairs
featuring an amphibian whose neck is stretched to the sky, with a tongue reaching out to catch a fly, and a butterfly birdbath with the butterfly sitting on a large daisy with wings stretched up in a V-shape.
“It will catch water in the daisy and the wings will be the focal point,” she said.
All pieces that will adorn the downtown and Riverwalk this summer are custom-designed for Naperville, a first, Fritz said. Different sponsorship levels for the sculptures are available, with the ladybug playhouses at the highest level, followed by gold, silver and bronze classifications. Fritz said sponsor packets will likely be available by Friday.
Come the second Friday in September, the United Way will auction off the sculptures with all proceeds benefiting the organization. Last year’s selection of seahorses, mermaids, dolphins and sea turtles netted more than $100,000.
“I just think these pieces are stunning,” Fritz said about the new sculptures. “I think they’ll be popular, these pieces. We built them to be functional.”
Contact Kate Houlihan at khoulihan@scn1.com or 630-416-5224.
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these are so fresh and whimsical ! Great choice this year. I think they will be very approachable being lighthearted in a time when people need a breath of fresh air.Very sweet.