
Stickman, made of iron, standing about ten feet tall and weighing hundreds of pounds, was dedicated and unveiled in front of Manitou Springs City Hall at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 12. Stickman is dedicated to the memory of his creator, Edward Rudolph.
Stickman was designed by Edward Rudolph and built by Louie Schwartz. With the passing of both of those men, Stickman came into the possession of Rudolph'92s partner Chuck Murphy, owner and CEO of Murphy Constructors of Colorado Springs. Murphy and Rudolph were planning to build an industrial park at one time and Rudolph quickly sketched out the figure who became Stickman, originally intended to stand in front of the industrial park.
Ed Rudolph was a three-time U.S. Olympic team speed skater who moved to Colorado Springs in the 1960»s. His wife Gwen was a renowned decorator. Both were killed in a car accident in Wyoming in June, 2009. Rudolph»s best-known and most visible development project in Colorado Springs is the Southern Cross Shopping Center.
He was doodling around and came up with Stickman,'94 Murphy recalls. Rudolph and Murphy shared an interest in public art, which Murphy continues to very actively support.
Murphy has given Stickman to the Manitou Springs Arts Council.
The ceremony on Nov. 12 was attended by several members of Rudolph's and Murphy's families, Manitou Mayor Marc Snyder, members of the MSAC and several members of the public.
Snyder said he was particularly pleased to accept Stickman's placement in front of City Hall, especially at a crosswalk, and noted that the figure complements Manitou Springs as a " walkable community" in a highly visible and entertaining manner.
