If you have driven through Crawfordville in the past few years, you have probably noticed the colorful painted lion that is now located in Azalea Park. The Lion is painted approximately once a month to match the season. The people who paint it are volunteers who bring their own paint, supplies, and ideas. Most of them are not artists and many are children. They are just regular people with a little community spirit who take time out of their busy schedules to entertain those walking the park and driving through town. Painting the lion is a fun community service that many families, the boy scouts, and the girl scouts have participated in.
If you have images of the Lion that you would like included on this site, please email them to paintthelion@gmail.com
If you are interested in painting the lion, please email Helen Gunn
This site contains pictures of the creative designs that have been painted on the lion. Use the menu on the left to see pictures of the lion over the years. A little history on the lion:
The lion originally resided at 2807 Crawfordville Hwy (Approximately across the highway from where it is now. Laura Gentry purchased it and placed it in front of her business (Tattered Pages Books & Expresso Bar 2002-2007). She soon began painting it every so often to match a holiday theme or to promote an event at her business. In 2007, Ms. Gentry began the process of closing the business and put the lion up for sale. Her asking price was $1500.00. 2007.06.04: The date that the Wakulla County Commission recognized the lion as being donated to the county parks and recreation department by the Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Gentry continued to paint the lion a few times after it was moved to the park. I am looking for more information on the lion. If you have any of the following answers, please email paintthelion@gmail.com 1. The date the lion was sold to the chamber of commerce and for how much 2. The date the lion was actually moved and how 3. The date that Mrs. Gunn took over coordination of the painting. 4. I would prefer pictures, but if you even remember what the lion was painted like for a particular event that is not listed in our menu, please let me know. |