Leatherlips
by artist Ralph Helmick
Scioto Park

Leatherlips, Dublin Arts Council’s first Dublin Art in Public Places program project, was created by Boston artist Ralph Helmick. The sculpture, a 12-foot high portrait of the Wyandot warrior and leader, Leatherlips, was installed in Scioto Park in 1990. The head is a composite structure of various sizes
of native limestone stacked and mortared. The sculpture is open on the top and has stacked stones extending back along its sides, creating a small enclosure that enables visitors a view of the river,
the sunset and the amphitheater.

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Local history relates that the Wyandot, Leatherlips, was executed by fellow tribesman at a location very near Scioto Park. In fact, Leatherlips’ last hunting camp is said to have been located 2 miles north of Historic Dublin along the banks of the Scioto River near the location of the present day park. Early histories by the white settlers of the time described him as intelligent, dignified and peaceful.

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