Although it wasn’t a museum, the art
center where I worked had two mascots. Art Ducko was, as expected, a
giant duck with green and blue feathers. The least senior staff member
was generally tasked with wearing the hot, smelly costume on open house days
and the annual art fair. Art Ducko was “retired” in about
1991 when the costume fell apart. Then, during major building projects in
1993-96 and again in 2004-05, we created a character called “Art”
derived from an element in the institution’s logo. Art, who only
existed graphically, appeared on signage updating visitors on the progress of
the construction, highlighting the activities that week and providing information
such as alternate ways to enter the building if necessary. Since I left I
heard that Art was being considered to become a costumed character but I don’t
know if that every happened. He was pretty cute.
Julia Muney Moore
Public Art Administrator
Blackburn Architects,
(317) 875-5500 x230