Moorestown, New Jersey: Nipper Statues: Dog With Roots

This NJ suburban town is conducting a Community Art Project with the display of 30 fiberglass RCA "Nipper" statues in front of local businesses. Artists have customized the statues. Pictured is the "Nipper Dog" by artist Gary Giuliano, in front of Ralph's Market, sponsored by Dietz and Watson. Each statue includes a brass plaque with vital information. Over a dozen of the statues are concentrated along West Main St.

The connection of Nipper to Moorestown is early 20th century businessman and inventor Eldridge R. Johnson, who moved his family here in 1919. Johnson bought the American rights to the painting of Nipper, "His Master's Voice," in 1900, and used it to advertise the Gramophone "Talking Machine." Moorestown is in commuting proximity to Camden, where Johnson's manufacturing complex (later RCA's) contains stained-glass windows illustrated with Nipper the dog, RCA mascot. All the Nippers will be moved to the Moorestown Mall in mid-September, and auctioned to raise funds on October 9. YOu can get a map at: www.nipper2005.org

While these statue exhibits are fun to check out while in a town, there are way too many Community Art Projects to cover! And they all blur into essentially the same idea of faux-folk art for good causes. The projects come and go, some leaving permanent statues in a town, and others evaporating entirely, until the next arts council or charity fund-raising. Some towns are conducting their 3rd or 4th project, casting around for new statue types to generate interest, or falling back on old standards customized by new artists.