Macon Arts Alliance officials are trying to determine how they will replace a statue of a bear that was damaged beyond repair.

Jonathan Dye, spokesman for the arts alliance, says Mercer police say they arrested two students after they removed the bear from its base at Tattnall Square Park early Saturday.

The Telegraph reports the case was turned over to Macon police, but charges haven't been filed because officials are trying to determine the value of the hand-painted bear.

The bear is one of six glass fiber statues purchased with a $15,000 grant funded by the Knight Neighborhood Challenge, which was awarded by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia in 2009.

The bear has cracks along its front and back sides and is being stored by university police.

About the Author

Featured

Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff