New Art to Make Big Splash With Kids This Summer

Brighton residents can look forward to a new piece of art that will be making a splash in this summer, courtesy of Brighton's own .

The sculpture, entitled, “It's a Keeper,” is a four-foot-long, brightly-colored aluminum sunfish designed by local wildlife artist and children's book illustrator Mike Glenn Monroe. It's sure to be a huge hit with kids, and was designed with them in mind, said Monroe, of Brighton.

Dennis Kallio, President of Brighton's Optimist Club, said that the sculpture is the club's way of giving a special gift to the city.

“We really felt strongly that we should give back to the community to commemorate the 25 years of serving the youth of Brighton,” said Optimist Club Board Member Bill Campbell.

Founded in 1977, The Optimist Club aims to “bring out the best in kids” through various programs that try offer something for kids all ages, from the annual fishing derby that's held in Mill Pond Park each June, to essay contests geared towards high school students that award scholarships to contest winners.

Monroe says he came up with around 20 different sketches for the proposed sculpture, but was unhappy with many of the concepts because they appealed to adults more than children.

With the idea that the sculpture is a gift to Brighton's youth, Monroe decided to take his sketches to a group of children to see which they liked best.

One student saw Monroe's sunfish and immediately remarked, “That's a keeper,” helping make the decision and also inspiring the title of the piece: “It's a Keeper.”

After spending half an hour with the kids, Monroe said it was apparent what they liked.

“I asked the kids what they wanted, and they all wanted to see a big fish,” Monroe said.

The sculpture is proposed to be installed next to the Mill Pond Imagination Station playground and will go up before this year's 25th Annual Optimist Club Fishing Derby that is scheduled June 11.