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Sources for Frog Baby(Ball State University Landmark):



History

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The Frog Baby statue, created by American sculptor Edith Barretto Stevens Parson, resides in a central location on the campus of Ball State University and is a well-known part of the university's rich traditions. The statue depicts a young girl who is brightly smiling at the sky while holding one frog in each of her hands. In the surroundings is a fountain of water with small frogs resting on the edges as they spout out water. The statue commemorates Alexander M. Bracken, who served on the Ball State Board of Trustees for 22 years and is also the son-in-law of Frank C.Ball. [1]

Historically, the statue did not always reside in the pond outside Bracken Library. It used to rest in the University’s Museum of Art. Frog Baby was first donated by Frank C. Ball, one of the famous Ball Brothers, during the early years of the university. Many legends and traditions are hidden around the campus of Ball State, and it was once said that if one would rub the nose of the statue, it would serve as good luck. As the rumor spread, students year by year began rubbing Frog Baby's nose for good luck on their exams[2] . Over time, the statue’s nose was worn away, and in 1993, the statue was sent over seas to be restored by Rundell Ernstberger Associates as the designer and Oberle Construction as the contractor.[3]

Currently, the statue resides in a fountain close to the university’s library for safekeeping. Students no longer rub the statue’s nose for good luck, but they have started a new Frog Baby tradition. Now, students will dress her up based on the changing seasons. During the winter months in particular, she is frequently seen sporting scarves and knit hats to keep her warm. To take further precautions from damage, security cameras have been installed around the fountain. Although these security cameras are not meant to be discreet, mishaps occur every now and then. In 2009, the statue was vandalized with chalk. The drawer drew a pink bikini on the statue.[4]

In 1999, four people attempted to steal Frog Baby. While the statue itself was not stolen, the thieves caused approximately $10,000 in damages to the exhibit and four of the surrounding frogs were taken from the the fountain. Fortunately all four of the missing frogs were found and returned.[5]

Artist

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Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons was an American born artist. She was born in Houston, Virginia on July 4, 1878. She studied at the Art Students League in New York with John Twachtman, Daniel Chester French, and George Bernard and won scholarships and prizes for her sculptures. Her sculptures are representations of her children often holding turtles, ducks, frogs, and other animals. Edith Parson’s sculptures can be found in Memphis Public Park, Tennessee; the Cleveland Museum, Ohio; Ball State University, Indiana and many other places. Edith Baretto Stevens Parsons died in 1956. [6] Bronze Based off of the artist’s children in early childhood.[7]In 1999 four people attempted to steal frog baby. While the centerpiece wasn’t stolen, it was received approximately $10,000 in damages and four of the surrounding frogs were taken from the fountain. Fortunately all four of the missing frog’s were found and returned back to the fountain.[8] In 2011 Frog Baby was temporarily removed from the fountain due to plumbing issues. The statue was returned shortly after the issue was resolved.[9]


Other Replicas

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A common misconception is that the Frog Baby statue at Ball State was made specifically for the university and that it is the only copy that exists. However, another copy of the Frog Baby sculpture resides in Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina as part of the Gallery of Small Sculptures. She was one of 350 sculptures that was acquired by the Huntingtons for the gardens. Frog Baby was placed in a pool in the gallery in 1934.[10] There is another copy that is on loan to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens from The High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia. Lastly, there is a fourth copy that is owned by the Forest Law Museum in Glendale, California.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Mensching, Liz. ""Frog Baby" vandalized by bikini drawing". Retrieved May 28, 2009.
  2. ^ "Frog Baby". Ball State University. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  3. ^ Smithsonian American Art Museum. "Art Inventories Catalog". Smithsonian Research Information System. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  4. ^ Prater, Nancy. "Suspects to be charged in Frog Baby vandalism. theft". Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  5. ^ Dickey, Kelly. "Frog Baby removed from fountain to be inspected". Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  6. ^ "Antiques & Fine Art - Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons - Biography". DeRu's Fine Arts. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  7. ^ Prater, Nancy. "Suspects to be charged in Frog Baby vandalism, theft". Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  8. ^ Dickey, Kelly. "Frog Baby removed from fountain to be inspected". Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  9. ^ Dickey, Kelly. "Frog Baby removed from fountain to be inspected". The Ball State Daily News. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  10. ^ Salmon, Robin R. (2009). Sculpture of Brookgreen Gardens. Charleston SC, Chicago IL, Portsmouth NH, San Francisco CA: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-6656-6.
  11. ^ Smithsonian American Art Museum. "Art Inventories Catalog". Smithsonian Institution Research Information System. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
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