Heather Wall posted a photo to social media showing the Rock Dragon wrapped in blankets.
A temporary art piece that was stolen from Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo was found after it was left in a Nanaimo library parking lot.
The artist behind the stolen sculpture, Heather Wall, says staff at the Nanaimo North Library found the dragon wrapped in blankets on Friday.
“I had totally let the past go… I thought it was gone, I fully thought I would ever see it again,” said Wall.
“When I got it [the message saying it was found] my heart skipped a beat… I was really surprised!”
Wall says library staff thought it may have just been bedding but once they took a closer look they immediately knew what it was.
“[the one who found it] shared the original Facebook post… I really think from all the Facebook shares and media attention it made that art piece so hot, [the theif] wanted to get rid of it.”
It has been handed over to the RCMP, Wall says she is eager to see it again and hopefully get it back up on display soon.
“When they moved it into the library she said there was some jingling… that’s the fun part of metal we can weld it back together,”
“I would like to say thank you to everyone… public space art is really good for the community.”
Wall adds that the piece will be secured even more, to prevent future theft.
The 1.2 metres tall and 1.5 metres wide sculpture of an aluminum dragon on top of a globe of rock and steel was first installed on June 6.
Officials say it was stolen overnight between June 22 and June 23
Rock Dragon was one of eleven new public art projects that were installed in city parks and public spaces this year as part of the Temporary Public Art Program. Since 2010, new projects have been put on display for a one-year term.
READ MORE: ‘Rock Dragon’ public art piece stolen from Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo
The news comes after a 300 pound Chinese Terracotta statue that was taken from the yard of a Lantzville home in the 7000-block of McGill Road sometime Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.
Police are still investigating the theft, anyone with information is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP or Crimestoppers.
The Rock Dragon sculpture at Maffeo Sutton Park. Photo Credit: City of Nanaimo.
Julian Kolsut
