No, before you ask, it did not fly off by itself.

We at Chronic don’t usually go in for crime stories (unless you’re talking about gas prices! Anyone? Anyone?), but when it’s an art theft, we pay attention. Especially when it took a truck to steal it.

Last Monday, a 175lb, four foot tall, metal statue of an airplane was stolen from out front of Fisterra Studio at the corner of Waller and E. Second, and Eastside artists Jennifer Chenoweth and Todd Campbell would really like it back. It also, in a melding of form and function, was their mail box. Only most mail boxes aren’t made out recovered and salvaged metal by local art luminary Barry George, whose work has been displayed in City Hall. Chenoweth and Campbell are offering a no-questions-asked reward for the piece’s return.

(Please note, the picture is of a near-identical piece made by George for a friend of the couple, not the original. So don’t go banging on doors randomly and calling the cops.)

This article appears in October 5 • 2007.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.