One of Fremont’s well known art installations was recently vandalized and community members have mobilized to repair the damage.
According to FOX 13, the bronze sculpture was damaged within the past few weeks when someone covered the entire statue with black paint, obscuring the iconic clown’s recognizable white face, red lips, and red nose.
J.P. Patches, portrayed by Chris Wedes, was the star of a children’s television program that ran from 1958 to 1981 on KIRO-TV.
The statue, titled “Late for the Interurban” and created by sculptor Kevin Pettelle, was unveiled in 2008 after a community fundraising effort, according to Urban Sparks. The bronze sculpture not only commemorates the beloved characters but also included a coin bank that collected donations for Seattle Children’s Hospital, J.P.’s favorite charity. Unfortunately supporters had to remove the donation box at the statue because it was repeatedly being broken into.
Fans of the late clown say the vandalism disrespects not just the statue but the memory of both the character and Chris Wedes, who passed away in 2012.
“We take that pretty seriously, even when it’s a clown,” said Ryan Reiter, managing director for the Fremont Sunday Market, to FOX 13 reporters.
Reiter is planning to host a parade in Fremont to raise additional money for restoration efforts, potentially as early as May 25 at the Fremont Sunday Market. An announcement is expected soon.
A restoration fund for the statue is on the J.P. Patches website at https://jppatches.com/products/late-for-the-interurban-statue-fund.