It’s been a busy month for Allegany County artist Eric Jones. He has done caricatures at events, ice and sand sculptures for businesses and veterans and stars in a show this fall on the Food Network.
Between it all, he said he was motivated to create a piece of art out of sand to depict the photo of Donald Trump after he was shot at a campaign rally in nearby Butler, Pa., as part of his campaign stops running for President of the United States.
“When AP photographer Evan Vucci captured this indelible image of Donald Trump with his fist in the air, I was emotionally motivated to capture the solidarity of the American spirit and I wanted to do it in Angelica,” Jones said. “This isn’t a sculpture that has a political undertone. As I researched the many assassination attempts on political figures and presidents over the years, the American public answered with being patriotic. Regardless of what you believe about Trump, the fist-pump was a symbol of the American spirit.”
The five-ton sand sculpture is on East Main Street in Angelica at the bottom of the hill getting off the Interstate 86 exit and across from the Allegany County Fair exit.
Jones also wanted to do something in memory of Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the rally. A shot grazed Trump’s ear, but another shot killed the man in attendance with his family.
“This sculpture also memorializes Corey Comperatore, the firefighter from nearby Butler, Pa., who died at the rally protecting his family from gun fire,” Jones said.
A lot of community members have stopped and talked to him about the art, but also to tell him things he did not know about Angelica.
“Angelica, New York, is one of the communities that lays claim to being the birthplace of the Republican Party, something everyone in this proud community is sure of,” Jones said. “If you are going to create a work of art capturing a photo that in my mind will win Vucci another Pulitzer Prize, you have to make it in the village of Angelica that has the motto, “Where History Lives.” I have met hundreds of residents of Angelica this week and their support of this project and art is overwhelming.”
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Jones said he will be back in Angelica to create something off ideas from the Angelica Booster Citizens during Angelica Heritage Days August 3 and 4.
“I will return in August to create a community sculpture for Angelica’s Heritage Days. From the Angel Station post office cancelation stamp to the Roque, or croquet tournament in the Park Circle, I’ve learned a lot this week,” Jones said. “It’s no doubt why the Allegany County Fair is here and the Main Street is thriving and as Americana as you will get. I have a new favorite spot to visit while traveling Interstate 86.”
You can donate to this project or for upcoming projects that will help veterans or children who request a snow or sand sculpture by clicking HERE. Jones works with many groups who help sick children in need or families who are going through a tragedy.
Some other works from Eric:
