Oconomowoc artist and OAF board member Amy Kavelaris transforms Toto statue into beautiful work of art
by Rebecca Seymour
To help celebrate Oconomowoc’s 85th anniversary of the premiere screening of “The Wizard of Oz” in 1939, the city promoted a O-TOTO-mowoc Public Art Project featuring a dozen Toto statues placed in popular spaces around the community.
There truly is no place like home – especially when home-grown Oconomowoc artist Amy Kavelaris puts her heart into something so remarkable by sharing her amazing gifts for this fun public art project!
Oconomowoc’s businesses, organizations, and community members were invited to help sponsor the four-foot statues which would be painted by local artists. Sponsors are recognized on the art piece, in the commemorative brochure and in the online art tour.
The Oconomowoc Area Foundation took this special opportunity to sponsor a Toto statue to be placed at the Boardwalk along Fowler Lake in downtown Oconomowoc. This popular, public gathering space was made possible in part by a financial gift from the OAF in 2017.
Oconomowoc artist and OAF board member Amy Kavelaris transformed the statue into something so very special – a true treasure to be enjoyed by many for years to come.
“It was particularly nostalgic for me to paint this Toto, after I had worked for Sony pictures in Los Angeles. What a joy to work on the original studio lot (previously known as Metro Goldwyn Mayer/Columbia Pictures) where ‘The Wizard of Oz’ was filmed!” she explained. “ Also, after playing “Glinda the Good Witch” at OHS with our incredible director Vic Passante, and the honor of singing to open the movie for the 75th anniversary, it truly brought everything full circle.”
Amy’s creativity and special touches breathe life into the statue, offering an enchanting Toto that truly does represent the mission behind the OAF and our commitment to a wonderful community.
“I wanted to emulate the scruffy, lovable and courageous Toto that the world knows and adores! One of my favorite features of our Toto are the playful, sculpted OZ Ruby red poppies that Toto is sitting in. Poppies are symbolic of remembrance and looking forward to a bright future. What could be a more perfect representation of the OAF and this celebration!” Amy added.
Other special touches include little blue and white flowers entwined with the poppies that mirror the umbrellas featured on the boardwalk, the blue and white gingham scarf matching Dorothy’s dress in the film, the ruby red, sparkling heart on his uplifted paw (perfect for high fives!), and the OAF’s golden logo on Toto’s collar.
Mila, Maia, and Maliana Kavelaris had the sweet opportunity to be the first kiddos to hug the OAF’s Toto after their mom, Amy added the final special touches on him … a sparkly red heart on his paw – perfect for high fives! Look for him at the downtown Oconomowoc boardwalk!
Look closely, and you will also discover written along various flower stems, OAF mottos as well as several like-minded inspirational quotes from the film.
Some quotes include: “There’s no place like home.” “You always had the power my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself.” “Local giving. Lasting legacy.” “One single act of generosity can have a lasting impact.” “The dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.”
Before being permanently displayed at the boardwalk, the OAF’s Toto will join the other artist-decorated statues in Oz Plaza next to City Hall on Wisconsin Avenue. The space was also renovated this summer in anticipation of the movie’s anniversary.
An Oz Plaza ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 prior to the Moonlit Movies screening of “The Wizard of Oz” downtown Oconomowoc. Stop by and meet Amy and our beautiful Toto statue, and join in the celebration of our community … There truly is no place like Oconomowoc!
