A less frightening likeness of comedic actress Lucille Ball is headed to her hometown of Celoron, New York, to replace the life-size bronze statue popularly known as “Scary Lucy.”
Set to be unveiled Aug. 6, on what would have been Ball’s 105th birthday, the new statue was created by Carolyn Palmer, who was unanimously selected from a national competition of more than 65 sculptors. The artist spent nine months studying Ball, watching I Love Lucy, working with models, and crafting the statue, which stands 6 feet tall.
“I not only wanted to portray the playful, animated and spontaneous Lucy, but also the glamorous Hollywood icon,” Palmer said in a statement. “I just hope that all the Lucy fans are pleased and that Lucille Ball herself would have enjoyed this image of her.”
Palmer’s statue will replace the one made by David Poulin in 2009, which was mocked for its piercing stare, toothy grin, and general lack of Lucy-ness. Nicknamed “Scary Lucy” and “Ugly Lucy,” it finally became a viral sensation last year.
Poulin himself expressed disappointment in his work, calling it “by far my most unsettling sculpture.” He also offered to refurbish it as his own expense.
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