Tin man arrives in Hart

The tin man is welcomed by Hart Mayor Vicki Platt, at right, and Nichole Kleiner, the community and economic development director for HEART (Hart Economic and Redevelopment Team).

Tin man arrives in Hart

HART — There is no place like home, and a gigantic tin man has found his home in Hart.

The tin man is part of the Hart Project aimed at getting more art installations downtown. The endeavor, “25 by 2025,” is an effort to get 25 art installations to the downtown area.

A flatbed truck hauled the tin man from Pennsylvania where he was constructed by Bill Secunda, a five-time Artprize artist/sculptor. 

The plan is to unveil the approximately 20-foot tall tin man at the 50th Annual National Asparagus Festival Saturday, June 10, during an after-hours party following the 2 p.m. parade. The popular Scottville Clown Band returns to perform in this year’s parade and will ignite the entertainment. Two more bands will play after the clown band, followed by fireworks over the lake. 

In addition to the tin man, five or six incubator business sheds will be placed next to the tin man in the Hart Commons parking lot. The start-up sheds will be open Thursday evenings during Music on the Commons concerts and on the weekends. 

The total cost of the tin man project is $50,000, said the Hart City Manager Robert Splane. Funding came from private donations and a $10,000 grant.

Hart Mayor Vicki Platt came up with the tin man idea after seeing one on display at Artprize. 

“A tin man is always searching for his ‘Hart,’” said Splane.

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