July 27, 2005
Bad dog
Connections Weekly

Public art project, Nipper 2005, features 30 five-foot fiberglass dog statues

Loretta Jackson | Editor

Who let the dogs out? Five Moorestown partners: The Evergreens, the Historical Society of Moorestown, the Lutheran Home at Moorestown, Moorestown Community House and the Perkins Center for the Arts. These are the agencies bringing a novel and nostalgic touch of color to the town, along with some dollars earmarked for Moorestown's non-profits in need. The public art project and fund raising event is called, "Nipper 2005".

Organizers encouraged sponsorship of 30 five-foot-tall, fiberglass dog statues resembling that famous canine music connoisseur of the 1890s who listened so attentively to a phonograph recording it was as if he was listening to his master's voice. The little fox terrier, Nipper, immortalized in paint, went on to become the advertising icon for RCA Victor.

According to the project's website, www.Nipper2005.org, it was recording pioneer Eldridge Johnson, founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company, who in 1900 bought the rights to the painting, "His Master's Voice" and used the image on his "Victor" machines and records. Nearly 20 years later, Johnson moved his family to Moorestown from Camden. His cozy machine shop there had evolved into a major manufacturing enterprise. The Moorestown community grew. Today, Moorestown holds title as the "Best Place to Live" in the United States, as named by Money Magazine. In an earlier era, the town was the frequent recipient of good neighbor Johnson's generosity; some 76 patents had made him a millionaire - and Nipper a very famous dog.

The Nippers of the public art project have been decorated in a variety of colors reflective of themes ranging from patchwork quilting to wartime flying aces to movie legends. Whimsy, comedy, history and culture have found translation in paint, mosaics, glue, jewels, stained glass and other materials. Each dog bears a unique and entertaining design. The works reflect the creativity of 30 winning artists whose entries were selected from a field of 217 renderings of proposed ideas.

Currently, the 30 Nipper statues are on display all around the town and will remain on view through Sept. 19. Then, an auction of the artworks will be held on Sunday, Oct. 9. Funds will benefit the five non-profit partners. Visits from tourists across the Delaware Valley continue to increase as word gets around. The Nipper 2005 project is modeled after other highly successful exhibitions, such as the "Cows on Parade" project in Chicago.

A member of the Nipper 2005 committee, Michael Mercer, said that a sense of excitement followed the announcement of the project; organizers chose a wonderful mascot. He said, "Nipper is a part of the heritage and history of this town and of the region. A legion of artists, corporate sponsors, local business owners, and kids of all ages jumped at the chance to get involved."

Artist Vickie Mathas, fellow artist Mary DeStefano and members of the Moorestown Area Quilters Guild took eight weeks to affix a rainbow of colorful patches to their Nipper. The group focused on music-themed quilt patches and named their dog, "Patches of Music". The Moorestown Mall sponsored the dog.

Lisa Wolstromer, Moorestown Mall's marketing director, said everyone there is enthused at the opportunity to be involved. "We're proud to support these crafty quilters and put the mall's support behind the Nipper Project."

It should be quite a sight to see when the Nippers are finally auctioned off at a fun-filled gala and go home with their adoptive families. More details about the project, the auction, the artists, the current location of each Nipper and more are on the website: www.Nipper2005.org. Info on Gala tickets also can be had by calling the Moorestown Mall, 856-662-7440.