RHINELANDER (WJFW) — Rhinelander has no shortage of Hodag statues but another one is set to join the family this summer.
Eau Claire sculptor Don Gaber was commissioned by his cousin and former Rhinelander resident, Ron Gaber, to create a metal Hodag sculpture. It will incorporate parts donated by the Rhinelander community and then be donated to the city.
Don has been a fan of Rhinelander and its mascot for most of his life.
“We used to come here quite often as kids,” he said. “My grandpa lived over on King Street over here and I used to walk downtown and see all these businesses and I always saw this mythical creature: the Hodag. It always kind of intrigued me.”
When his cousin reached out, he gave him the perfect opportunity to show Rhinelander his appreciation.
“He and his wife Elsie have been following my work on my social media accounts,” he said. “I’ve been doing artwork full time since 2018 and he decided that he wanted to commission me to create a Hodag.”
Don Gaber specializes in making metal sculptures that incorporate what most would consider scrap -old saw blades, street signs and lanterns. But he believes that those pieces make the sculptures special.
“I think it means more to people in town when they see the parts and recognize components they donated,” he said. “That means something to the history of the area.”
The sculpture is planned to be about eight feet long and take inspiration from older Hodag designs.
“Some of the old original drawings and renderings of this thing—it’s been around a long time are kind of freakishly scary,” he said. “They’ve got smaller eyes and beady eyes. I’m going to go for a cross between the new and the old versions of this thing.”
ArtStart is coordinating the Iron Hodag project and believe that this will make a great addition to the city’s Hodag collection.
“People can identify with the Hodag,” said Ashley McLaughlin, ArtStart’s program and operations director. “Whether they’re local, whether they’re visiting, whether they’re generational visitors, people identify with the Hodag.”
The sculpture is planned to be completed and set up this summer. Those interested in donating items can email gaberssuperiorview@gmail.com, jamisjan@rhinelander.k12.wi.us with a photo of the items or contact ArtStart for more information.