Artist: Michael Pettit

The cast iron element in Firefly was salvaged from an old wood-burning stove. The wing elements were designed to resemble the traditional flame paint jobs on 1950s hot rods, so creator Michael Pettit said the name Firefly seemed appropriate.

The statue is repurposed and painted cast iron and steel. It was first shown at an M State Invitational Art Show at the college and received a purchase award.

Pettit’s art career began while he was in college. While earning his mechanical engineering degree, he enrolled in art classes and began working in a stained-glass studio. He ventured into custom automobiles, working at a street rod shop in Pennsylvania, but eventually returned home to Minnesota and purchased the creamery building in Dent, where he had his studio.

He began having success with public sculpture and selling art through galleries, then resumed building cars until he became semi-retired and again turned his focus to fine art.

His works can also be found at Pioneer Care Center in Fergus Falls and the hospital in Perham.