“STRAWBERRY ZEST” (Tribune photo).

By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune

On a more modest scale, West Garden Grove – indeed, all of Garden Grove – now has its Statue of Liberty, its Hollywood Sign, its Golden Gate Bridge.

It’s called the “Strawberry Zest.”

On Monday, a sculpture depicting Garden Grove – a strawberry – arising from its roots as part of agricultural Orange County was unveiled at its permanent home in front of a fire station on Valley View Street, a short distance south of Chapman Avenue.

A crowd of dignitaries, community leaders and curious passersby watched as the wraps came off the 960-pound creation shining in the sun.

“Public art is transformative,” said Mayor Steve Jones. “A casual glance at an amazing piece like this can take us away to a different place entirely.”

It has, he said, the power to take the passersby away from the “daily grind of life.”

The audience applauded and cheered as the tarp was pulled away on the work by local artist and restaurant owner Jennifer Stewart, who conceived of the design, did the sculpting work and shepherded it from conception to completion.

“I just want to say thank you to all the people here, all the people who supported me,” said Stewart. “A couple of days ago when they lowered this [960-pound] monster into place, it was quite the nail-biting experience, but they” – city public works crews – “were very patient with me and very supportive.”

Jones also complimented City Councilmember George Brietigam for his “five years” of work on the project, which was originally inspired by his predecessor, Councilmember Kris Beard.

“Zest” isn’t just for the west side. A smaller version will be on display in an alcove in City Hall, and there’s been discussion of using the design for promotional purposes such as logos and signs.