Sugg Chevrolet - Walking

Returning to her roots as a painter made ceramics teacher at BASH Linda Austerberry smile. While the girls’ soccer team assisted with the design and production of “Sparky,” Linda provided the expertise throughout their participation and the finishing touches. “Growly teeth” were a requirement for “Sparky,” Sugg Chevrolet’s Bear Fever bear, according to BASH art teacher Linda Austerberry who coordinated the girls’ designs and painting efforts. A few features to notice: the stadium which includes photos of the girls on the soccer team. Dreams for an indoor track are represented by the track add-on as part of “Sparky’s” athletics accoutrements. Sponsored by Sugg Chevrolet, “Sparky” tries to capture details dear to athletes. His footwear and his claws are several of artist Linda Austerberry’s favorite features.

Artist

Linda Austerberry
610-369-7435
610-754-7908 (home)

Sponsors

• Sugg Chevrolet
  Robert Sugg
  Second and Washington Streets
  Boyertown, PA 19512
  610-367-2944

Sugg Chevrolet “Sparky”

“Sparky” has an interesting history. He was created by Boyertown High School art instructor Linda Austerberry with the help of the girls’ soccer team sponsored by Jackie and Bobby Sugg of Sugg Chevrolet. Linda’s daughters and the Suggs’ daughters play on the same team.

“The girls [about 17 of them] all got together and drew what they thought the bear should look like,” explained Linda. Then, I put together a design that included as many pieces as I could of what each of them wanted. They came up with some awesome details! One things they all insisted on was ‘growly’ teeth! And I love his footwear.”

Painting the bear as a group was another story. “It got pretty messy,” explained Linda, but they had a lot of fun.”

“Sparky” endeavors to represent all sports in some fashion. Dave Burkert andThomas Dareneau, instructors at Boyertown High School, fashioned and painted the stadium surrounding the bear and his platform. The stadium features “thumb prints” to represent people in the stands. Look closely, and you’ll see the photographs of each of the girls on the team in the stands. ~jane stahl