Phoenix Art Museum

Phoenix Art Museum to unveil mystery sculpture

What's bigger than a car and red all over?

Phoenix Art Museum's Yuletide gift to art lovers, an outdoor sculpture slated to be unveiled at a Dec. 12 Holiday Festival for the community.

"The idea of unwrapping a new gift to the Valley is the real lifeblood of how a museum works. We often say it feels like Christmas when we get a new piece," says Jim Ballinger, the museum's director.

Here, he drops a few hints about the mysterious new piece, donated to the museum by the Chaney family of Houston.

Q: Is it closer in size to a housecat, a refrigerator or a large SUV?

A: An SUV. (More precisely, it measures around 15 feet long, 6 feet high and 5 feet wide.)

Q: Is it made of metal, wood, plastic or cloth?

A: Metal.

Q: How much does it weigh?

A: I'd say a ton, maybe. It's coming in via crane.

Q: Does it resemble something figurative or something abstract?

A: Figurative.

Q: Does it look like an animal?

A: Perhaps.

Q: Does it resemble an animal that's been domesticated by humans?

A: That depends on which movies you watch.

Q: Is it silly or serious?

A: There will be lots of smiles.

Q: Does it have moving parts?

A: No.

Q: Is it something you can touch or climb on?

A: You'll want to, but it's not encouraged.

Q: Is it more appealing to adults or children?

A: Children of all ages will like it.

A: Yes.

Q: What will it mean to the community to have it on display?

A: Because of the location out front, it's going to become an icon of the museum. Lots of people are going to want to take their picture in front of it. It's in keeping with the museum's intention to be a welcoming place where you can enjoy yourself.

If you go
What: Witness the unveiling of a large new sculpture, enter a contest to give it a nickname and join in a Holiday Festival.
When: Noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 12
Where: Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave.
Cost: Free with museum admission of $10 adults, $8 seniors 65 and older and full-time students with I.D., and $4 children 6-17. Free for children 5 and younger.
Information: (602) 257-1222 or phxart.org