Highwood artist commissioned for popcorn king’s sculpture

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Artists rendition of proposed Orville Redenbacher statue in Valparaiso. | Provided photo~Sun-Times Media

Updated: April 14, 2012 1:15AM

VALPARAISO, Ind. — Officials in the city where Orville Redenbacher developed his brand have turned to a Highwood artist to create a sculpture of the late popcorn tycoon.

Last week, the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission chose Highwood artist Lou Cella from 13 artists to create a bronze Redenbacher statue. One submitted by the sculptor has Redenbacher sitting on a park bench.

The public art committee hasn’t decided which of three possible bronze Redenbacher statues will take up residence in Valparaiso’s Central Park Plaza, but the tribute to the popcorn maker is part of a move to bring public art to the city.

The city has held an annual Popcorn Fest every September since 1979 celebrating Redenbacher’s development of his popcorn in Valparaiso.

The committee and Redenbacher’s daughter, Gail Tuminello, will choose which of the three poses Cella submitted will go into the park.

The statue will cost $62,000, and the Redevelopment Commission will temporarily finance it from its brownfield fund used to clean up contaminated lands. The commission and art committee also will seek private donors to recoup the funding.

Cella has been involved with the creation of the Ernie Banks and Harry Caray statues at Wrigley Field; the Carlton Fisk statue at U.S. Cellular Field; the Father Hesburgh/Father Joyce memorial at University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., and a Community Veteran’s Memorial in Munster, Ind.