NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Sept. 14, 2023) – We now know what’s painted on themed sculptures that will be going up in nine local communities as part of a countywide public art initiative. The Tuscarawas Arts Partnership invited everyone to the Performing Arts Center Wednesday evening for a Love Tusc Preview Party. Artist Cathy Straub painted a “Spirit of Dover” sculpture that the city will display on the northeast quadrant of the square. Mayor Shane Gunnoe is pleased with how it turned out. New Philadelphia resident Tony Contini got to decorate the one for his hometown and says he learned a lot about its history in the process. The other sculptures making their debut Wednesday evening were for Bolivar, Strasburg, Sugarcreek, Dennison, Newconerstown, Port Washington, and the Atwood Lake region. Those will start going up Oct. 1 as fundraising continues to expand the project into another 11 communities and create a countywide sculpture tour next summer. For details and to donate, visit tuscarawasartspartnership.org.