Charles Schulz Memorial Sculpture Press Release

City partners with Sonoma County Community Foundation, Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County to commission sculpture of Charlie Brown and Snoopy

For Immediate Release

Contacts: Gloria Duncan 707/579-4073 (SCCF); Pat Fruiht 707/543-3023 (City of Santa Rosa)

Santa Rosa, CA — February 16, 2000   The City of Santa Rosa, the Sonoma County Community Foundation and the Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County have announced their partnership in raising funds for a major sculpture as a tribute to Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts cartoon strip and a leading Sonoma County citizen for more than 40 years. Schulz, considered by his peers as the foremost cartoonist in the world, died Saturday in his Santa Rosa home, just hours before his final strip ran in newspapers across the country.

Mayor Janet Condron said, "I have heard from many community members, especially in the past several months, about their desire to show their appreciation to Sparky and Jean for their generosity and contributions to our community. By offering an opportunity to contribute to this project, the City and its partners can provide an excellent way for everyone to feel that they have shared in this lasting tribute and memorial to Sparky."

The fundraising goal for the project is $220,000. As partners with the City in raising funds for the sculpture, the Sonoma County Community Foundation will accept and acknowledge contributions and the Sonoma County Arts Council will assist with the fundraising efforts and provide technical assistance to the project.

Kay Marquet, President and CEO of the Sonoma County Community Foundation, said she is pleased that the Community Foundation will have this opportunity to do something for the Shulzes.

"They have been such wonderfully generous supporters of the Community Foundation," she said, "and have done so much for so many people in our community. We are glad to be able to receive and acknowledge the contributions for this tribute to Sparky."

The bronze sculpture, which is being designed and fabricated by Stan Pawlowski of Ski Sculptures, will feature a four-foot Charlie Brown with Snoopy by his side. The completed sculpture will be installed in Depot Park. Pawlowski, who has been commissioned by the Shulzes for many other works over the past 20 years, will also cast a limited number of miniature replicas of the sculpture to be given to donors of $10,000 or more.

It is hoped that the sculpture will be completed in time to be dedicated on October 2, the 50th anniversary of the Peanuts cartoon strip.

Donations for the sculpture should be sent to the Sonoma County Community Foundation, 250 D Street, Suite 205, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Checks should be made out to "SCCF-Schulz Sculpture."

For further information, contact the Sonoma County Community Foundation, 707/579-4073 or the City of Santa Rosa, 707/543-3023.

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