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Sculpture name is selected

NAME FOR ART PIECE ANNOUNCED — The piece of public art near the Weirton Event Center now has a name. Following a contest offered by the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce, the name for the sculpture was announced Saturday. -- Staff photo

WEIRTON — A piece of industrial art recently placed in the city has a new name following a contest offered through the cooperation of the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Eighty names were officially submitted as part of the contest, with a panel of three judges selecting “Millie Steele & the Blasters,” as submitted by Holley Faulkner Jr.

The name was announced by CVB Director Dan Greathouse during the June 30 concert by Beatlemania Magic at the Weirton Event Center. The sculpture, which depicts a four-member musical group, is located near the Event Center.

“It’s honoring the men and women who served this community,” Faulkner explained of the inspiration for his submission.

The artwork was created by New Cumberland resident Ken Sinsel after being approached by Greathouse last year. A trombone included in the piece was donated by area resident, artist and educator Mike Swartzmiller.

Judging for the contest was performed through a blind selection process by Patrick Ford, executive director of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle; Odessa Hores, a member of the Striplight Theatre Co.; and Craig Howell, managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times.

“As soon as I saw it, I smiled,” Ford said of Faulkner’s submission.

Hores agreed, saying the name “Millie Steele & the Blasters” fits well given Weirton’s steel-making history.

“It’s cool. It’s an awesome name,” Hores said.

Howell expressed appreciation for all who entered the contest.

“There were many good suggestions from our community. It wasn’t an easy decision,” he said.

For being selected as the winner, Faulkner is set to receive an overnight stay at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort and a gift certificate for La Bonne Vie restaurant.

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