Tourists flock from all corners to catch a glimpse of Philadelphia’s renowned Rocky statue, proudly displayed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. However, some found their visit interrupted as the statue underwent its scheduled conservation maintenance on Tuesday.
“Rocky endures all weather conditions out here. He’s a fighter, and this is necessary to keep him looking his best,” remarked Marco Federico of Heritage Conservation Collective.
Temporary barriers and signs were set up on Tuesday morning to inform visitors of the ongoing conservation efforts, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Professional public art conservators from Heritage Conservation Collective were enlisted to undertake the task of cleaning and waxing the statue of the iconic champion.
“We’ll use a torch to heat the sculpture and then apply a microcrystal and torch, which will significantly slow down corrosion and protect it,” explained Federico.
For those with the Rocky statue on their Philadelphia bucket list, fret not! Officials assured that the barriers would be removed each day after the completion of work, ensuring full accessibility for visitors.
“I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see the statue and snap a picture of it,” shared Cheryl Baker, visiting from Kalamazoo, Michigan.
“It’s truly become a symbol of the city for visitors,” noted Noni Clemens of the Office of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy.
Standing proudly for 18 years at the Art Museum, the bronze statue holds a special place in the hearts of Philadelphians and visitors alike. Created by artist A. Thomas Schomberg in 1980, the statue was a gift to the city from Sylvester Stallone and is a cherished part of Philadelphia’s permanent collection of public artworks.
“The Rocky statue holds a special place in the hearts of both residents and visitors of Philadelphia,” affirmed Marguerite Anglin, Public Art Director of the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy. “Regular maintenance ensures Rocky remains protected from weather-related damage, preserving it for future generations.”
