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Harold Cronk shows Joe Knowles parts of the sculpture.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
SCOTTVILLE — Artist Harold Cronk is currently gathering material for the Scottville sculpture he is naming “Forward March.” He is asking the public for old brass musical instruments.
Forward March will pay tribute to the Scottville Clown Band and also Scottville’s agricultural and lumbering roots. Many parts of the whimsical sculpture will include parts and pieces of brass horns. When completed, the sculpture will be the centerpiece of the park that also includes the Scottville Clown Band Shell.
The park, located adjacent to the former Scottville Optimist Center, is scheduled for renovations this year.
Cronk is a 1993 graduate of Mason County Central High School and a graduate of West Shore Community College. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Central Michigan University, where he majored in art and K-12 education with an emphasis in sculpture. He taught high school art at Evart High School for four years before changing his career to filmmaking. He and his wife, Amy, moved to Los Angeles in 2004 where he worked on several film projects. They eventually moved back to Mason County and he began 10 West Studios and also EMC Productions with Scottville native Edgar Struble. Cronk directed the movie “God’s Not Dead,” one of the highest grossing faith-based films of all time. His locally-produced movie, “Deer Camp ’86” has become a cult sensation.
“I have enjoyed my career in film and find it very challenging,” Cronk said. “But, my first love is sculpture and it’s an honor to have been asked to create this piece for my hometown. I keep coming up with new ideas to add to this sculpture. It’s really an amazing challenge. I think this is an opportunity for Scottville to shine.”
Cronk said the Scottville sculpture will be a unique part of the Mason County Sculpture Trail.
“There are several artists who have had an indelible influence on my work,” Cronk said. Alexander Calder, Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak and Walt Disney are just a few of my favorites. For me, the common thread drawn through the heart of each of theses amazing artists is their unrelenting embrace of their child-like spirit. In a world wrought with strife and political upheaval, we desperately need artists who afford us a few moments of escape and maybe even a smile or two.”
Cronk said he needs a variety of brass instruments but is really in need of a sousaphone and tuba. He added that the donor needs to understand that the horns will likely be cut up. Anyone who has a horn to donate may bring it to Smith & Eddy Insurance, 201 S. Main St.
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