SSU gifted statue of ‘Peanuts’ character
Written by: Heba Made, Staff Writer
Shared from: Sonoma State Star
A statue of Lucy, the prominent female character from the “Peanuts” comic strip, will be joining Sonoma State University’s collection of campus sculptures.
The school will place a donated 4-foot statue of Lucy east of the Schulz Information Center before the end of February, Chief of Staff and Interim Vice President of Advancement Patti Hiramoto said.
Lucille Van Pelt, more commonly known as Lucy, is easily recognized by her hair, her need to always be right and her shrill voice, said Jean Schulz, wife of “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz, who passed away in 2000.
According to President Judy Sakaki, she wanted the statue to more appropriately represent the Schulz Information Center that the school built in 2000. Sakaki said she mentioned her idea to Schulz and shortly after, Sonoma State was on the waitlist, Sakaki said during the Academic Senate meeting on Feb 1.
Mary Vaughn, a local Sonoma County artist recommended by the donor, will be painting a Sonoma State T-shirt on her as well as adding and hand-painting a two-foot platform for Lucy to stand on, Hiromato said.
“I wanted one with a cap and gown, but I didn’t want to be picky,” Sakaki said. “When a Lucy became available, they hired an artist to repaint her clothes.”
Currently Charles Schulz’s family and the City of Santa Rosa have placed 30 4-foot statues of Lucy around the Santa Rosa area. This project began in June of 2010 by the Peanuts on Parade Committee as a final tribute to Charles Schulz. Local Sonoma County artist designed and painted each statue during a paint-off event.
“You can actually get a peek of our Lucy through a fence since she is already situated in front of the Schulz Information Center,” Hiramoto said. “She is one of very few remaining unfinished sculptures available as part of the Peanuts series sculptures placed through Sonoma County.”
According to Hiromato, the statue will offer students, faculty, staff and visitors a photo opportunity on campus.
“We hope that Lucy will provide a welcoming focal and gathering point for students and guests on campus, since currently there is no SSU logo or landmark on our campus for this,” Hiromato said. “We are excited to have Lucy as our newest Seawolf and we think the entrance to the library at the Schulz Center is the perfect location for her.”
This will be a good place for Lucy as her character is quite large. Her arms will be open and she will be wearing Sonoma State attire and colors, Sakaki said.
“Our incoming students and visitors want to take selfies or pictures in front of signs and our major signage at Sonoma State is at the entrances of campus,” Sakaki said. “Those are not the safest places to congregate due to car traffic.”
The campus community continues to celebrate Schulz’s work. At the library and information center visitors are welcome to read his work, including original comic strips of “Peanuts” and other related artwork. “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” will also be showing at the Green Music Center until Feb 11. It is a revised production of the all-time 1967 classic and is free for SSU students.