Surely you’ve heard the tale of a girl and her dog swept away to a magical land. Right here in Oz Park, we have a tribute to that timeless story with the Dorothy & Toto Statue. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of The Wizard of Oz.
This charming statue captures Dorothy and her loyal companion Toto. The Dorothy & Toto Statue was installed in the spring of 2007. It is the fourth and final artwork to be placed in Oz Park. You can find it on the west side of the park. It is near Dorothy’s Playlot.
The Oz Park Advisory Council raised 60,000 dollars for this sculpture. They commissioned John Kearney to create all the Oz Park statues. Kearney also created the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow.
L. Frank Baum wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900. The classic 1939 film immortalized his work. Baum wrote fourteen books in the Oz series. Dorothy Gale and Toto are key figures in most of them.
Even before receiving the commission, John Kearney began working on the wax molds. He used the lost wax technique. This method involves creating a wax mold. The mold is dipped in ceramic material. Once dry, the wax is melted out. Molten bronze is poured into the space. This allows every small detail to be cast. After the bronze sets, the sculptor chisels away the ceramic. He refines the details. Finally, he adds a patina and paint. Kearney depicted Dorothy in a blue dress with her iconic ruby red shoes.
The Dorothy & Toto Statue serves as a reminder of Dorothy’s courage and Toto’s loyalty. These are two key themes in the beloved tale. The statue is a popular spot for photos. It is a favorite among park visitors.
Oz Park itself has an interesting history. In the late 1950s, the area was in poor condition. In the 1960s, the Lincoln Park Conservation Association worked to improve the community. In 1975, the Chicago Park District acquired the land.
In 1976, the park was named Oz Park. It honored Lyman Frank Baum. Baum lived in Chicago in 1891. He lived several miles west of the park. He wrote over 60 books. Fourteen of them were Oz books.
The Oz Park Advisory Council has raised over 1,660,000 dollars. This money supports enhancements to Oz Park. Besides the Dorothy & Toto Statue, Oz Park features the Emerald Garden. There is also Dorothy’s Playlot. Dorothy Melamerson, a retired teacher, donated money for park improvements.
So, take a moment to appreciate this delightful statue. It represents a timeless story. It also represents community effort. It brought a touch of magic to Chicago’s Lincoln Park. The Dorothy & Toto Statue truly embodies the spirit of Oz Park.