Iconic Columbia artwork to be rededicated after theft and recovery

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The Gong will rise again.

The artwork that pays tribute to a late public relations executive with a penchant for gonging in momentous moments was stolen earlier this year. It has been recovered and restored and will be rededicated at 3 p.m. April 16 at 1100 Lincoln St.

The Congaree Vista Guild announced the ceremony for the artwork that celebrates the late Marvin Chernoff, who was known for using a small, desk-sized gong to symbolize a job well done and a way to create closure before moving to the next project, according to a news release. His office was in the Vista.

“We are so relieved that The Gong was recovered and that it’s been restored to its original state,” Abby Anderson, executive director of the Congaree Vista Guild, said in the news release. “We felt like a rededication was important for such a treasured piece of public art.”

The Gong was created by Clark Ellefson and Matthew Kramer.

Lee Ann Kornegay, a film maker, arts organizer and former employee of Chernoff, initially brought the idea to One Columbia in the early 1980s and recommended a non-traditional sculpture. One Columbia for Arts and Culture commissioned the piece with donated funds from the community and with Chernoff’s personality in mind, the release stated. They oversee the maintenance of the artwork and received a donation to assist with the repairs to the Gong.

One Columbia works with the city of Columbia, community organizations and private entities to bring public art to the community by commissioning, administering, maintaining and marking public art throughout the city.
The Vista site for The Gong was chosen to recognize Chernoff’s early involvement in the development and repurposing of the former warehouse area and is located near the first office renovated by Chernoff and his business partner, Rick Silver, the release said.