Published on August 24, 2023
With technical assistance from Eugene-area artist Pete Helzer, the City of Medford has repaired and restored the much-photographed and often vandalized “Chess Man” sculpture in downtown Medford’s Vogel Plaza.
Originally created by Helzer in 2002 at a cost of $25,000, the bronze installation features a man pondering the next move in a “check” situation on the chess board, opposite an inviting but empty opponent’s chair.
Located near the corner of East Main Street and Central Avenue, the high-profile artwork is one of the most well-known in the City’s public art collection. Unfortunately, it has been damaged by vandal's multiple times over the past two decades, ranging from having chess pieces pried off to having the empty chair broken, stolen, and eventually recovered along the Bear Creek Greenway.
The latest repairs cost nearly $5,000. The Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department asks citizens to keep a watchful eye on the sculpture to prevent further vandalism by calling 911 if there is suspicious activity around the sculpture.
“The ‘Chess Man’ has been splendidly restored, but over time the numerous damage-and-repair cycles are a threat to its continued existence in Vogel Plaza,” Department Director Rich Rosenthal said. “Please help protect ‘Chess Man’ by calling law enforcement if you see something suspicious happening to the sculpture.”