The maker of a massive bronze tiger, delivered Monday to Albert Lea High School, said the beast will likely outlive it’s new home.

Tuesday, February 13, 2001

The maker of a massive bronze tiger, delivered Monday to Albert Lea High School, said the beast will likely outlive it’s new home.

Wildlife artist Jocelyn Russell, the tiger’s designer, said the 1,200-pound symbol of the school is as solid as a rock and should last forever.

&uot;If he’s taken care of, he will be here long after the school is gone,&uot; said Russell.

The tiger was hoisted, dragged and coaxed through the doors of ALHS into its permanent place in the gallery/administrative entrance of the new building. The process took about two hours.

Students crowded the stairways and halls hoping for a look at the tiger as Lou-Rich workers eased the sculpture into the school using hydraulic hand trucks and a forklift.

&uot;He looks terrific. The whole school has been waiting for him to arrive,&uot; said principal Al Root.

Russell, who hails from Alamosa, Colo., did much of the sculpting with welder Mike Dubail in his shop on the San Juan Islands of Washington State.

The stalking figure finally arrived in Albert Lea on a flatbed trailer, fresh from a foundry in Utah.

&uot;This is really exciting,&uot; said Russell, who has been working on the project since May. &uot;I hope he’s happy in his new home.&uot;

The sculpture was funded by donations from 20 Albert Lea families and businesses. A plaque listing the donors also arrived Monday. Eventually, the plaque will go on the base of the tiger sculpture, which will be officially unveiled in April as part of a dedication ceremony.

Russell spent hours observing live tigers in preparation for the project. Despite the hundreds of hours spent working on him, she did not name the big cat. She would like to see the students participate in giving the tiger an identity.

&uot;I resisted the urge to name him, because he isn’t mine. He belongs to the teachers, parents and students. I think they should be able to think of a great name,&uot; Russell said.

The sculpture was originally made from clay around a metal skeleton. The foundry reproduced him using a mold, said Russell. The tiger’s current form actually consists of 50 panels welded together with dark stripes over a burnished patina.

&uot;This is my biggest project,&uot; said Russell. &uot;I feel great about the way he turned out. I hope the school loves him.&uot;