Jay Leno will design 'goddess' for Warren project

WARREN -- "Tonight Show" host and noted car collector Jay Leno has signed on to be a part of a local project.

Bobbie Brown, director of the Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County, and Mary Ann Porinchak, executive director of the National Packard Museum, told Vindy.com today the comedian agreed to design one of the statues involved in the "Spectacle of Speed" project.

"We got the word yesterday afternoon that he is going to participate," Brown said.

The project, which is similar to the "Parade of Penguins" in Youngstown, will include 31 statues with the addition of Leno's. The fiberglass statues will be 6-by-8-feet, depicting the "winged lady" known as the Goddess of Speed that appeared as a hood ornament on many Packard automobiles.

Brown and Porinchak said they're excited about Leno's involvement.

"[Leno's [participation] is huge for this project. It's going to really catapult it into a whole 'nother realm in terms of publicity and support and everything," Porinchak said.

She said she had been in contact with Leno throughout the last three years for various projects, including the next exhibit, "My Favorite Motorcycle." The exhibit will be on display Jan. 6 through May 2007.

"I called him for our motorcycle show, just to talk to him and get his opinion about the motorcycle culture. At the end of the interview I told him, 'By the way, there's this goddess of speed project," Porinchak said.

She said the final connection with Leno came Tuesday when he said he could do it.

Brown said she anticipated that Leno would design the statue and have someone from NBC Studios execute the painting. Brown and Porinchak said the statue would be shipped to his studio for the work, then be returned to be a part of the display and auction. They said he would also get a full-size statue for his collection in return for participating.

"He was very impressed at the magnitude of this project, to have the community involved with it and supporting it. I think good things will come of it," Porinchak said.

Brown said FACT is still holding its call for artists through Jan. 5. The application is available by visiting Trumbull Arts or by calling (330) 399-1212.

According to FACT's Web site, participating artists will receive a stipend for their work. Porinchak said the artists will be selected Feb. 1, when sponsors narrow down a pool of 60 designs to the final 30.

"With Jay, it'll be 31," Porinchak said.

The cost to sponsor a statue is $3,000. The statues will be on display at Trumbull County locations through late September 2007. On Oct. 27, 2007, the statues will be auctioned off at Packard Music Hall.