A downtown area landmark containing religious sculptures re-opened Saturday after being being closed due to vandalism in early March.
Someone took the head off of a disciple statue in the Garden of Gethsemane, at 670 W. Congress Ave., placed it in front of another statue, and drew symbols and messages referencing Satan on both. The vandalism was discovered the morning of March 9.
Next to the Santa Cruz River, the garden contains the religious sculptures by artist Felix Lucero and is popular for weddings, quinceañeras and small parties, according to the Tucson Parks and Recreation website.
This isn't the first time the religious sculptures in the park have been vandalized. In 2015, someone crushed the feet of a Baby Jesus statue and decapitated a disciple, according to Arizona Daily Star archives. And many years prior, all the statues were beheaded.
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Sean Nicholson, the Parks and Recreation Superintendent, said artist Greg Schoon, who repaired the statues before, repaired them again. The cost of repair was $300.
There isn't currently a suspect, and Nicholson said it could have been anyone from kids to someone protesting the religious statues.
"If we have artwork, it's going to get vandalized," he said about all the city parks that contain art.
A figure in the Christ at the Last Supper sculpture at the Garden of Gethsemane, 670 W. Congress Ave., was vandalized and is missing its head. The park will reopen once repairs have been made. The garden houses religious sculptures by Felix Lucero which include Christ at the Last Supper, the Holy Family and the Crucifixion. March 11, 2019.
Contact reporter Danyelle Khmara at dkhmara@tucson.com or 573-4223. On Twitter: @DanyelleKhmara
Danyelle Khmara
Reporter
