The statue of Friendly Frog pictured at Applewood

Friendly Frog

Marshall Fredericks (1908-98), 1970

Terrazzo and concrete | 6,600 lbs | 63” High
Installed at Applewood in 2004

Friendly Frog was created as part of the experience at the Genesee Valley Shopping Center when it opened in 1970. Fredericks designed this large, friendly sculpture as a children’s slide. It is made out of terrazzo, which is chips of marble or granite set in concrete and polished for a smooth finish. The Ruth Mott Foundation gave Friendly Frog its new home at Applewood in 2004. The pad was replaced in 2022.

The statue Anvil's Reach is pictured at Applewood

Anvil’s Reach

Richard Hunt (1935- ), 1986

Cor-Ton Steel
Installed at Applewood in 2007*

“In some works, it is my intention to develop the kind of forms Nature might create if only heat and steel were available to her.” —Richard Hunt
This sculpture, like many of Hunt’s, was created by welding together pieces of metal, rather than carving or casting it in a mold.

*On loan from the Mott-Warsh Collection, a privately owned, publicly shared collection of American fine art based here in Flint.

An intricately carved stone birdbath is pictured in the perennial garden at Applewood

Birdbath

Original: Marshall Field & Co.
Replica: Bybee Stone Company Inc.

Limestone | 43″ High
Installed in 1918/1992

The original birdbath, made of cement and purchased for $40 from Marshall Field & Co. in 1918, deteriorated from exposure to the elements. This replica was installed in the same location in the Perennial Garden in 1992 and is made from Indiana limestone.

A statue of a girl with her arms outstretched is pictured in the Demonstration Garden at Applewood
A side view of a statue of a girl with her arms outstretched is pictured at Applewood
Ruth Mott pictured on her 90th birthday, arms outstretched to her guests
Ruth Mott poses with La Brezza in the garden at Applewood in 1997

La Brezza

Florentine Craftsman, Inc.

Lead | Pompeian Green Finish | 43″ High
Installed at Applewood in 1996

This sculpture reminded Mrs. Mott’s loved ones of a photo taken at her 90th birthday celebration as she welcomed guests with arms joyfully outstretched, so they purchased La Brezza (which means “the breeze”) for Mrs. Mott on her 95th birthday.

A large metal sculpture by Richard Hunt is pictured at Applewood

Columnar Construction

Richard Hunt (1935- ), 2011

Stainless Steel | Abstract Sculpture | 40′ High
Installed at Applewood in 2011

This 3.5-ton sculpture was created by Richard Hunt, famous for his fluid designs and his love of public art. Columnar Construction is a gift from the Mott-Warsh Collection to the Ruth Mott Foundation and Applewood. The sculpture commemorates what would have been the 110th birthday of Ruth Mott.

The intricately carved marble wellhead sits in the middle of the perennial garden at Applewood

Marble Wellhead

Importers: A. Olivotti & Co.

Marble | 52″ Diameter | 32″ High
Installed at Applewood in 1918

The marble wellhead was imported from Italy and purchased by C.S. and his first wife Ethel in 1918. This piece was a favorite of the Motts and they can be seen posing around it in many family photos. Today, the wellhead contains a fountain that brings the sound of gurgling water to the Perennial Garden.

The sculpture Risky Intentions is pictured at Applewood

Risky Intentions

Chakaia Booker, 2007

Stainless Steel and Rubber
Installed at Applewood in 2007*

Chakaia Booker’s sculptures are made of salvaged rubber, mostly old tires. She cuts the rubber into strips and shapes, wraps, and folds it into fluid forms. The different aspects of the materials, such as rubber gluing agents and tire treads, are all part of the resulting work.

*On loan from the Mott-Warsh Collection, a privately owned, publicly shared collection of American fine art based here in Flint.