‘Iowa Girl’ gives glory to Perry’s Roberta Green Ahmanson

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Des Moines artist John Brommel honors Perry native Roberta Green Ahmanson, whose munificence restored the Hotel Pattee and other downtown buildings, with his sculpture, "Iowa Girl."

“Iowa Girl” is the name of the Arts-and-Crafts-inspired sculpture dedicated to Roberta Green Ahmanson.

Installation of the second of four sculptures planned for Willis Avenue in downtown Perry began Wednesday morning, with the artist supervising the work.

“Iowa Girl,” a sculpture commissioned by the Art on the Prairie committee and executed by Des Moines artist John Brommel, honors Perry native Roberta Green Ahmanson, whose munificence restored the Hotel Pattee and other downtown buildings in the 1990s.

The sculpture follows the August installation of Brommel’s “Born of Fire,” a tribute to the VanKirk family and to Perry’s industrial heritage that figures a gear-driven ladle pouring molten metal.

The newest work recreates the themes of William Morris’ Arts and Crafts movement, seen prominently in the design of the restored Hotel Pattee.

An unveiling ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at 5:30 p.m., with Mayor Jay Pattee and Hometown Heritage Director Bill Clark giving tributes to Ahmanson, who is unable to attend in person.

Ahmanson has discussed the “idolatry” of her relations with her Perry restoration projects in speeches at Biola University in La Mirada, Calif.

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