CORNELIUS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Humpty Dumpty will be put back together again – only with brand-new parts.
The town of Cornelius is partnering with a North Carolina artist to rebuild a statue of the nursery rhyme character that went missing in 2023. The sculpture, owned by the town, was in front of Cornelius Elementary School when someone removed “Humpty” from the book engraved with the rhyme’s words he was sitting upon.
But, the school won’t go sculpture-less for long. As presented at Tuesday night’s town board meeting, town residents Chad Hucks and Stewart Barbee launched a fundraising effort via GoFundMe to replace “Humpty.” And they got artist Eric Isbanioly, from Greensboro, on board.
In the end, 63 donors provided the necessary funds for the sculpture replacement, raising more than $2,700. The piece originated at the town’s “Beyond Walls” outdoor exhibit at Robbins Park in 2017, but was sold to the town when the event concluded. “Humpty” was made of cast and fabricated aluminum, bronze, steel and cement.
Isbanioly said the do-over will cost him $2,500, so Parks and Recreation Director Troy Fitzsimmons says the remaining balance will go towards improving other public artwork.
“I am so proud to see our citizens come together like that,” said Mayor Woody Washam, who’s also among the donors.
Fitzsimmons said the new sculpture will be ready by April 1 for all the king’s soldiers and king’s men to see. “Hopefully sooner than that,” he said.
