Boy and Bear
Marshall Fredericks' credo was to bring happiness to others through his sculptures. In the early 1950s, shopping centers provided a promising and exciting new way to expand the number of people exposed to his art. The J.L. Hudson Company commissioned Fredericks to create "Boy and Bear" for the entrance to the Hudson's store at the Northland Shopping Center in Southfield, MI. There his life-size "Boy and Bear" had enchanted millions of children and parents alike. At Northland, Fredericks' massive bear offered a surprising ride for the innocent child sitting on its back. Perhaps his own small children were Fredericks' inspiration for the boy's happy countenance and confident posture.
In 2016, after the Northland Shopping Center closed, "Boy and Bear" was moved to a new home in the atrium of the Southfield Public Library in Southfield Michigan, where you can still visit it today.
Bronze castings of "Boy and Bear" are also located at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University near Saginaw, Michigan.
This bronze sculpture was cast in limited number editions of 15 after Mr. Fredericks' death in 1998. The "Boy and Bear" measures 11" x 11" x 5 1/2" and sits on a black marble base with Fredericks' favorite sea-green patina.
There is a limited number of this sculpture left so do not hesitate to call us to purchase this whimsical sculpture at 989-964-7125 or send an email to mfsm@svsu.edu for more information or to purchase this sculpture..