Thanks to a neighbor who notified Fremocentrist.com that someone dismantled the Fremont Guidepost on the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov 7th.
Sharp-eyed and conscientious folks at the etg coffeeshop caught video and the license plate of a woman in an Audi who tore the sign down, broke it into pieces, and sped away. The vandalism and theft have been reported to Seattle Police.
The loss is significant as the Guidepost has become iconic to our community. The sign, or its silhouette, has cropped up in the materials of two of our community organizations, and several area businesses have created graphics that pay homage to the piece – and identify their brand as ‘Fremont.’
The artist, who initially installed the Guidepost as an Art Attack in 1995, has been contacted by Fremocentrist and will do his own investigation of the vandalism. He did express concern that while he can create a replacement (the Guidepost has been upgraded and replaced at least once since its original installation,) the financial costs for doing so may prohibit him.
A community collection is being considered for covering the costs of fabricating a new Guidepost. Please stay tuned here if you can contribute to such a worthy cause, and see this icon re-erected, to once again identify the Center of the Universe and the distance from here to everywhere.
Let’s all hope the Guidepost can return soon – and that Seattle Police quickly identify the vandal and protect community art from such indiscriminate treatment!