The river otters have returned to the Conemaugh River. They’ve been spotted just outside of Blairsville, and this weekend, one of them may be making it their permanent home.
Weather permitting, artist Jack Mayer of New Alexandria and some friends will be installing a statue of a river otter on a rock in the park near the riverbank. Mayer has been an artist all this life, working mostly with wood and metal. In 1980, he began making cement sculptures, which would become his signature pieces. The otter, measuring thirteen feet by five feet, will be placed near the bandstand in town, not far from another piece that was done by Mayer.
Fairbanks and the Friends of the Blairsville Community are funding Mayer’s otter sculpture. It will be the 12th sculpture installed in town. The otter has great significance, as the river was unable to support life for a long time due to mine drainage. The return of the otters signifies the progress that has been made in trying to clean up the river.
