A stunning sculpture of Penelope (2009) by Temecula artist, Michael Stutz, now stands majestically at the northeast corner of Tidelands Park in Coronado, California. She faces the San Diego Bay with a view of the seagoing ships that pass by daily—an appropriate setting for Penelope who waited 20 years for her husband, Odysseus, to return from the Trojan War. Printed along the bottom of the display is a famous quote from The Odyssey: “Weaving by day, Penelope would be forced to choose a new husband when her tapestry was complete. But all the while she waited, unraveling her work by night, steadfastly sure of Ulysses' return.” According to the epic poem, she denied 108 suitors until her husband finally returned, and they lived happily ever after.
The appearance of this seven-foot-tall sculpture varies with the time of day and the perspective that you might be viewing it from. It was hand-fabricated with long strips of bronze metal that appear to be weaved together, symbolizing the story of her weaving by day. Spectators can also climb inside of Penelope's head and look out at the Bay through her eyes—children especially like this experience. My granddaughter enjoyed sitting on the small built-in bench she found inside the head.
Penelope was originally on display at the Embarcadero until it was removed for the construction of Ruocco Park and stored for eight years, awaiting a new home. Thanks, to the Port of San Diego Waterfront Arts & Activation department for having the foresight to choose this lovely location and to provide another wonderful work of art for the public to enjoy for years to come. Not surprisingly, the sculpture of Penelope has already been referred to as the masthead of Tidelands Park.
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WAITING FOR SHIPS TO RETURN SAFELY
2020 CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
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