Artist: Lori A. Tiller, Allegany, NY

Sponsor: Parent Education Program, Inc.

Location: Parent Education Program, North Union Street, Olean

In the Artists words: While working on the design and actually painting and adding sculpture to the squirrel, Lori was always thinking about women and children. She decided to paint the squirrel in soft warm tones and added the tree, which could signify a family tree. She decided to paint the baby gold to speak about how precious all children are in the world. The handprints on the squirrel were created by some of her very special friends and her daughter, Sydney.

Bio: Lori is a 1995 Graduate of Alfred University College of Ceramics and Design where she studied everything from photography to glass blowing and ceramics. Her concentration is in self-portraiture but also includes digital imagery, sculpture, fiber art, drawing, painting and much more.

Essay: Squirrels By: Amber Bacher — My favorite squirrel in Olean is Pepe and Pepito. Its sponsor is the Parent Education Program. It teaches parents to be good parents. The tail is very pretty. It has seven colors: pink, blue, white, red, green, silver and maize. It has sunflowers on the tail. It has hand prints all over ad they are the handprints of children.