BHS grad readies Scotsman
The Edinboro University athletic teams may play under the title Fighting Scots, but a new sculpture on campus will give them a stirring visual of their mascot.
A large bronze piece called the Fighting Scotsman that will be unveiled at noon Sept. 17 is a figure in motion, running with a flowing cape and kilt, poised as if charging into battle.
The statue — 12 feet tall, 16 feet long with his cape and 10 feet wide arm to arm — has been a massive undertaking for Ira Gerhart, a 2003 graduate of Butler High School.
Gerhart made the molds, cast the metal and did the welding. The original clay model was made by the artist, Jim Prokell.
"I started taking actual molds about two-and-a-half years ago," Gerhart said.
His friend, Joe Anderson, helped with casting plus assisted on design with the artist, he said.
Gerhart, an Edinboro alumnus, was nearing college graduation in 2007 when he became involved with the project.
"I was a sculpture major at Edinboro," Gerhart said. "And I knew the owner of the foundry (U.S. Bronze in Meadville)."
"I think it's been plenty of years in the making," said foundry owner Dan Higham, who credited Gerhart with making sure the sculpture actually saw the light of day.
"He was involved in getting it to the finish line," Higham said.
"Ira and his friend (Joe Anderson) actually helped finish the clay model, so really it's been four years he's been involved."
Gerhart has worked on the piece an average of 40 hours a week during the last few years at the Meadville foundry.
"This is my day job right now," Gerhart said.
Lately, he's been working overtime, though, to make certain the Scotsman is ready for the unveiling. The new piece has a place right beside the University Center across from the football field, Gerhart said.Just a little sandblasting and the application of the patina now and the larger-than-life character will be complete.The Scotsman will come to rest on a concrete pad in front of a semicircle of brick.After the unveiling — just in time for Homecoming Weekend on Sept. 24 and 25 — the sculptor will be able to consider the future."I guess I'll have time to work on my own sculpture and artwork and see if I can make a living doing this," Gerhart said.He is the son of Carol and Mark Prokay of West Sunbury and Don and Doreen Gerhart of Butler.
