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Hotmail Print Message Page 1 of <br /> [Town Press Release] Jack's Back: Donkey Sculpture Returns to Hillsborough <br /> on Permanent Loan <br /> From: The Town of Hillsborough Government, NC(webmaster @www.ci.hillsborough.nc.us) <br /> Sent: Fri 4/20/12 9:02 PM <br /> To: ghcooley @msn.com <br /> Jack's Back: Donkey Sculpture Returns to Hillsborough on Permanent Loan <br /> A life-size metal donkey that captured the hearts of the public has returned <br /> to Hillsborough. <br /> Technically,Jack's only grazing in his new locale next to the Eno River <br /> Parking Deck in the downtown.The sculpture, created by artist Jonathan <br /> Bowling of Greenville, N.C., is on permanent loan for public display from <br /> Hillsborough residents Gail and Phil Cooley. He was installed April 15. <br /> I think that Jack brings a lot to our town," Hillsborough Planner Stephanie I - �- <br /> Trueblood said. "He seems tall and proud—a dignified donkey. But he's . + <br /> got a little bit of attitude too.I love the way he stands at the Gateway <br /> Center and greets everyone who arrives in Hillsborough." <br /> The sculpture—made from reclaimed metal, including antique farm <br /> machinery—isn't new to Hillsborough.Jack was one of six sculptures - <br /> exhibited last year as part of the town's first sculpture tour.At that time, he <br /> was placed in front of the Masonic Lodge and won the People's Choice <br /> Award in the tour primarily organized by Gail Cooley. <br /> t was his popularity ' . <br /> ith the public that spurred Cooley to coordinate with the parking <br /> eck owners, George Horton and Jim Parker,to bring Jack back to <br /> Hillsborough as a way to perk up the parking deck.Cooley began <br /> hinking about grants and other sources of funding and called the <br /> culptor to check on Jack's availability. <br /> "I think Phil heard me talking to him and decided to take the <br /> donkey by the ears, maybe to facilitate this whole thing," Cooley <br /> aid of her husband,who is the primary organizer for the <br /> downtown Last Fridays events this year. <br /> When Cooley arrived home on Christmas Day,she found Jack in <br /> her yard—a gift to her from her husband. <br /> '{ "We knew he would be a good fit," she said of Jack and his new <br /> ,public home."We knew that everybody in the town already liked <br /> Plus there's Jack's historic value, a good attribute considering he now stands in the heart of Hillsborough's Historic <br /> District. <br /> "He's made of antique materials, so he's kind of historic," Cooley said. <br /> The donkey sculpture is made from a combination of antique farm machinery and demolition scrap from a warehouse <br /> fire near the artist's studio. <br /> http://by 173w.bay 173.mail.live.com/mail/PrintMessages.aspx?cpids=af24ba64-8b4d-11 a 1-8906-002... 11/2 1/201< <br />