FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 24, 2007

Sculptor Kevin Pettelle Wins Commission

To Create J.P. Patches Statue

SEATTLE – Sculptor and lifelong Patches Pal Kevin Pettelle has been selected to create the statue to honor one of the most enduring and beloved figures in Seattle television history – J.P. Patches.

The J.P. Patches Statue Steering Committee, comprised of citizen volunteers and themselves Patches Pals, selected Pettelle both because of the engaging and humanistic quality of his bronze sculptures, and because he has been a Patches Pal since the original J.P. Patches showed debuted in Seattle in February, 1958. Pettelle, a Seattle native, now has his studio in Sultan.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to give Kevin this assignment,” said Bryan Johnston, chairman of the volunteer committee. “Not only is his bronze work of extraordinary quality, but as an original Patches Pal he understands the place J.P. Patches holds both in local television history and in the hearts of generations of kids in the Pacific Northwest who grew up with him.”

The committee has raised approximately $60,000 toward the total statue’s total installed cost of $150,000. The statue will be located in Fremont, near the famed “Waiting for the Interurban” statue by Rich Beyers. The design features J.P. (Chris Wedes) and his sidekick Gertrude (Bob Newman), plus the ICU2TV, from which J.P. issued birthday greetings to his puzzled but delighted young fans. The ICU2TV will also serve as a perpetual piggy bank for contributions to Children’s Hospital, with whom Wedes has had a longstanding relationship.

Johnston said that contributions from the public are still very much needed, and that people can go to J.P.’s website, www.jppatches.com, for information on how to donate.

The J.P. Patches show debuted on KIRO on February 10, 1958, and ran through 1981. That made it the longest-running locally produced children’s television show in United States history.

Also on the Web: www.soulinbronze.com