Topic: Phillies' "Phanatics Around Town" astronaut
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-31-2010 01:32 PM
Congratulations (!) to collectSPACE member Cliff Lentz on the debut of his astronaut-inspired statue as part of the Philadelphia Phillies' "Phanatics Around Town" public arts program.
The Philadelphia Phillies' fuzzy-green mascot "Phillie Phanatic" received a NASA makeover this week, thanks to the artistic efforts of a space enthusiast.
Professionally-trained artist Cliff Lentz, who for years has served as the "unofficial NASA correspondent" for a local Philadelphia sports-radio morning show, was selected with 19 other artists to decorate 20 six-foot tall statues of the baseball team's mascot as part of their "Phanatic Around Town" public art program...
KSCartist Member
Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted 03-31-2010 05:43 PM
Hey Cliff - OUTSTANDING!! I sure wish the Brevard County Manatees would do that. Super Job!
Cliff Lentz Member
Posts: 655 From: Philadelphia, PA USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 04-03-2010 01:58 PM
Thanks Tim. It was great to be involved with MLB, in a small way. The first time I saw the Phanatic in person in 1980, I thought he looked like an astronaut. His shoes are almost identical to the lunar boots! So when I had the opportunity to share my vision, I jumped at the chance.
The statue was installed at the Free Library on Wednesday and will be there during the Library's book Festival April 17 and 18th that will be covered by BookTV (C-SPAN).
I haven't been over yet, but I'm getting photos from Facebook friends who have made the Phanatic tour. I hope to post them in the near future and I invite any collectSPACERs to send me their photos should they get to see my work.
Cliff Lentz Member
Posts: 655 From: Philadelphia, PA USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 05-13-2010 11:08 AM
The music video I assembled from photos taken during the project is now available on YouTube.
Cliff Lentz Member
Posts: 655 From: Philadelphia, PA USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 08-16-2010 02:25 PM
I just got back from the big announcement as the "Phanatic Around Town" project winds down for the summer. The statues will stay at their locations until the end of August and then relocated to Citizen's Bank Park for display until the rest of the 2010 season.
The auction for the statues will be online. There is one space-related statue (Mine) that is available to any collector out there.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-06-2010 11:33 AM
Bidding on Cliff's "P. Phanatic Star Voyager" statue begins Sept. 10 and remains open through Sept. 16. The opening bid is $1,000.
Net proceeds from the sale of each Phanatic statue will be directed to the Phillies Charities, Inc. Grant Fund.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-16-2010 10:06 PM
After nearly 40 bids, Cliff's "P. Phanatic Star Voyager" statue sold today for $19,200!
Cliff Lentz Member
Posts: 655 From: Philadelphia, PA USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 09-26-2010 11:46 AM
Waiting to see if the new owner will contact me. Still hoping that it ends up at the Franklin Institute where I met my first astronaut...Al Bean 1970!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-13-2011 12:56 PM
The Phoenix newspaper reports that Cliff Lentz's Phanatic statue has been delivered to its new owner.
The unique Phanatic, designed to look like a NASA astronaut, is now on display at Joey's II.
[Frank] Kolachny, a Philadelphia resident, said the statue stood out to him over the summer as one of his favorites. The base is designed to look like home plate, with Phillie's footprint on the moon on the back, there is the world series logo on the space suit and all around there are planets as well as Gemini, Apollo and space shuttles.
posted 03-31-2010 01:32 PM
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