'Pilgrim' pals: Couple's donation keeps public art piece in Suwanee

SUWANEE - Scott and Debra Dovel have been long-time friends and supporters of the City of Suwanee. So when the Public Arts Commission expressed interest in keeping Charlie Brouwer's Pilgrim sculpture, which was part of the 2012 Suwanee SculpTour, Economic and Community Development Director Denise Brinson knew who to turn to for help.

She wasn't disappointed. The Dovels came through with a donation that allowed the City to purchase the eight-foot wood sculpture, which will remain on display in front of the Gwinnett County Public Library branch on Main Street.

It's not that he's a huge art fan, confesses Scott Dovel, who is director of sales for Vancouver-based Teradici, Inc., although he believes that the City's emphasis on public art will generate its own momentum. It's more that the Dovels believe in their community.

"We want to leave a better community for our kids and grandkids," says Scott Dovel. "It's about leaving a foundation for others to build on. Whether my kids stay here or not, certainly my children will forever consider Suwanee their hometown.

"The City has a vision about the arts being a part of this community," Dovel adds. "If they're committed to that, then I'm going to help."

Dovel recalls being contacted by Brinson earlier this spring. "Denise said that people really liked the Pilgrim piece, that the library liked it. It was something that I was able to do."

Says Gwinnett County Library Executive Director Nancy Stanbery-Kellam: "The Pilgrim statue adds character and interest to the grounds of the Suwanee library. We are proud the library will be the home of this SculpTour piece."

http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/5/261849