ST. IGNACE -Five days after the bronze iron worker statue she created was unveiled at the July 28 Mackinac Bridge 50th anniversary celebration, sculptor Janice Trimpe said she was still elated with how her work turned out and the reaction it received.

"I'm very proud of it," she said. "At the same time I'm humbled to be asked to do it, and I was humbled to see the reaction by the iron workers. It brought tears to my eyes."

A sculptor for 34 years, Trimpe has a number of bronze figures to her credit, and is known as a fast worker. She started with a clay model of the iron worker in February and had it ready in March for the Mike Petrucci at the Fine Arts Sculpture Centre foundry to make into bronze.

"I went back the day after it was unveiled and listened to some of the comments," the 64-year-old sculptor said. "I was really pleased to hear how realistic they thought it was. One guy said the boots weren't right because they didn't have a heel, and another guy told him that no, they didn't have heels because it could have caught on the grating. So it was those kind of comments that were gratifying. It was really an incredible experience."

The statue was sponsored by Iron Workers Locals 8, 25 and 340. Retired iron workers Rick (Squeegee) Whitson and Mark Morton met with Janice about 10 times, bringing authentic tools, clothing and a toolbelt to make sure they got it just right. In nice detail on the iron worker's tool belt are two spud wrenches, a sleever bar, a 12-inch crescent wrench and a 1-inch bull pin. Over his shoulder he has a rod-busters tool belt, with pliers, a wooden rule and a wire reel. He's carrying an eight-pound sledgehammer.

Whitson said he was asked to consult with Janice on the project because of his work with memorabilia on the 100th anniversary of Local 25.

"They basically asked us how to show her how to dress an iron worker from that time period," Whitson said. "We're proud iron workers, and I considered it a chance of a lifetime to honor those guys who worked on the bridge. They were tough old guys. It was a real honor for us."

Whitson added: "Janice was an excellent person to work with. The statue came out fantastic with all the detail. The reaction from the men was wonderful. There were tears in the eyes of some of the old timers."

Like many public sculptures, the iron worker was created slightly oversized at 6 foot, 3 inches. Trimpe was asked to create a "rugged" face for the figure. The bronze on the figure is only a quarter-inch thick, and it's hollow inside, "like a chocolate Easter bunny," Trimpe said. The figure is walking on an iron bean, with his back to the Mackinac Bridge. He's wearing bib overalls, two flannel shirts, a period hard hat with the ubiquitous AB (for American Bridge) on the front, and of course the authentic Red Wing boots.

At the base of the sculpture is a plaque with the name of five workers who died building the bridge.

Trimpe, whose has done statutes of the late Mayor Orville Hubbard in Dearborn and the late Wayne County Executive Ed McNamara at Metro Airport, said creating the iron worker was "the pinnacle of my career."

"If you could have felt the love that I got," she said. "The guys I talked to said 'let me shake your hand,' or 'let me give you a kiss.' You couldn't be around a more appreciative group. I'm still floating."

SCULPTOR Janice Trimpe works on the clay model of the iron worker statue that is now in Bridge View Park in St. Ignace.