Friendship residents rally to save Octavia the Octopus

The Octopus Garden, tucked between two houses in Friendship, is a cherished spot for residents of the neighborhood and the many who visit. It’s both urban garden and gathering place for the community complete with flower and vegetable beds, a lending library, and of course, its big draw: a giant mosaic land octopus.

Most visitors are instantly smitten upon meeting the captivating Octavia the Octopus. With her striped tentacles, two adorable faces, and stylish blonde bob, how can you not be?

But upon further inspection, it’s evident that Octavia is in need of some help.

Simply put, the old octopus is falling apart.  “She’s wood inside and her tiles are not frost-proof.  The past two winters have damaged her irreparably,” says Leanne Libert, Friendship resident and Octopus Gardener. “She’s rotting from the inside out from the rain and snow.”

With every passing season, the damage becomes more noticeable.  “Her face is now crumbling off,” Leanne points out. Unfortunately, there is no hope in salvaging dear Octavia. “She needs to be entirely rebuilt, using a different process and materials.”

Octavia the Octopus receives some expert medical care from a young helper.
Octavia the Octopus receives some expert medical care from a young helper.

Laura Jean McLaughlin, the artist who originally created Octavia, is shocked that she has lasted more than six years in the space. Octavia was originally created for the 2009 Three Rivers Arts Festival as a part of the ninth hole on a putt-putt golf course.

“She was just supposed to be a temporary installation,” says McLaughlin who donated Octavia to the garden after the Arts Fest ended.  “She wasn’t meant to be outside all year round—she can’t withstand the elements.”

But the possibility of The Octopus Garden without an incarnation of Octavia is incomprehensible to many, especially to Kristin Hughes, the founder of Octopus Garden, who remembers the space before she graced it with her presence.  “Nothing grew.  To be perfectly honest, it looked like an ugly vacant lot,” Hughes says.

But everything changed, she says, once Octavia arrived. “The minute this art piece came on the scene, she radically changed the space. People began to appreciate the garden because of the art.”

Plans for Octavia’s makeover are already in place.  “We’re going to remake the entire sculpture and rebuild her on site.  We’ll build a platform so she doesn’t get moist, and she will be made out of outdoor materials,” says Hughes.

But in order to rebuild Octavia, they need funding.  Since the Octopus Garden is not a public space, the caretakers of the garden rely on donations from the community.  Hughes says they need to raise $12,000, and have raised less than half of that so far.  “All money goes to the artist, Laura, who is being very generous with her time, and materials,” Hughes notes.

Although it’s a daunting challenge, Hughes is confident that the people of Friendship will come through to save Octavia.  “I think people believe in art and the power of community, and that spaces like this are special.”

To learn more about the project and see their very amusing video, go here: the Indiegogo page for the Octopus Garden.