CRESTVIEW — The Whiz Kid is getting his book back, with help from a Baker welder.
See photos of The Whiz Kid's departure for repair>>
The Crestview Public Library's iconic bronze sculpture, one of the few pieces of public art in Crestview, was damaged earlier this month when the book was ripped from the boy-with-a-mortarboard’s hands.
Crestview financial planner Ryan Mabry learned about the vandalism and library staffers’ search of a welder of bronze from a June 10 News Bulletin story.
He told Aaron Charron, owner of AC’s Welding, of the library’s need. “He does phenomenal work,” Mabry told library staffers.
Charron examined the damaged sculpture last week, Library Director Jean Lewis said.
“He said he will donate the cost to repair it for us,” Lewis said. “He said it would only take a couple hours depending on what he needs to do. The hardest part is getting it off the pedestal.”
To do that, Charron and his father, Cliff Charron, had to cut the bolts, but Monday afternoon, The Whiz Kid was on its way to Baker. Charron said he expected to have the sculpture repaired within a couple of days.
Had he charged his going rate for the service, the library would face a bill of approximately $250, he said.
Charron said restoring the sculpture is just a way of thanking the library for the pleasure it gives his children, whom he takes there frequently.
“They enjoy it,” he said. “I’m just paying it back.”
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker welder volunteers to restore 'The Whiz Kid' sculpture