Artist: Mark Barta (Olean, NY)

Sponsor: JCC

Original Location: JCC, 260 North Union Street, Olean. One of three squirrels that have since retired and relocated from Olean.

In the Artists words: Mark chose the theme for my squirrel because the Wizard of Oz is a favorite classic at his house and also symbolizes the human values he would hope that all the fine students at JCC would strive for, courage, knowledge and compassion.

Bio: In addition to being a member of the Woodland in the City Committee, Mark is employed by Dal-Tile, Olean Division, as a mosaic tile artist.

Essay: There’s No Place Like Home By: Brooke Bushnell — My favorite squirrel is There’s No Place Like Home. Its tail had the yellow brick road on it from the movie “The Wizard of Oz”. I like the tail because when they hook arms and walk on the road is my favorite scene and they makes the squirrel special to me.