News Summary
The angel statue known as ‘Wonder’ outside Dora Mae Jewelry in Orlando was decapitated by a vandal last Wednesday. This incident marks the third act of vandalism affecting the store’s sculptures, prompting owner Ansley Highland to seek community assistance in replacing the statue and implement measures to protect public art in the area. The ongoing vandalism raises concerns about the safety of urban art installations.
Orlando, Florida – The beloved angel statue outside Dora Mae Jewelry in Ivanhoe Village was the victim of vandalism last Wednesday morning, as captured on surveillance footage. The statue, known as “Wonder,” was decapitated when a man was seen breaking off its head around 5:30 a.m. and walking away with the stolen piece.
Production manager Sarah Hepner expressed her sadness regarding the loss of the statue, emphasizing the store’s appreciation for having art installations in their outdoor space. This incident marks the third act of vandalism affecting their angel statues, raising concerns about the safety of public art in the area. Previous occurrences have also involved “drunk people in the street” who damaged statues by jumping onto them.
In response to the ongoing vandalism, the jewelry store has decided to take preventative measures by transitioning to cement statues, which are less likely to be damaged or easily removed. The decapitated statue, referred to as “Wonder,” follows the fate of an earlier guardian angel statue named “Whimsey,” which suffered a similar fate.
Owner Ansley Highland is actively seeking to replace the damaged statue and has extended an invitation to the community for assistance in finding a new guardian angel statue. Residents are encouraged to send any leads on available statues to aid in restoring a treasured feature of the jewelry store’s landscape.
The vandalism incident reflects a broader concern regarding public art and community spaces in urban environments. As businesses like Dora Mae Jewelry strive to enhance their storefronts with unique sculptures, acts of vandalism challenge the efforts of local entrepreneurs to create welcoming and aesthetically pleasing spaces. The store’s decision to upgrade to more durable statues underscores the need for safer forms of public art in the face of recurring vandalism.
Overall, the decapitation of the angel statue has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities of public displays of art and the impact that such incidents can have on local businesses and community morale. As the jewelry store works to recover from this incident, it remains hopeful that a stronger guardian angel will soon take its place, symbolizing resilience and community support.
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Additional Resources
- WFTV: Angel statue’s head stolen from Orlando jewelry store
- Wikipedia: Public art
- Bungalower: Angel statue decapitated outside Dora Mae Jewelry
- Google Search: vandalism public art
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vandalism
- Google News: public art vandalism
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
