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Sculptor: ‘Scary Lucy’ not my best work, will redo for free

In an August 2012 photo, a bronze sculpture of Lucille Ball is displayed in Lucille Ball Memorial Park in the village of Celoron, N.Y., in her hometown. Since the sculpture was unveiled in 2009, the statue has been blasted by critics who say it bears little or no likeness to the popular 1950s sitcom actress and comedian. Village officials say they want the sculptor to fix it for free, but the artist wants as much as $10,000 to alter the statue. The village has started a fundraising effort to pay for the sculpture's makeover. (AP Photo/The Post-Journal) BUFFALO OUT
In an August 2012 photo, a bronze sculpture of Lucille Ball is displayed in Lucille Ball Memorial Park in the village of Celoron, N.Y., in her hometown. Since the sculpture was unveiled in 2009, the statue has been blasted by critics who say it bears little or no likeness to the popular 1950s sitcom actress and comedian. Village officials say they want the sculptor to fix it for free, but the artist wants as much as $10,000 to alter the statue. The village has started a fundraising effort to pay for the sculpture's makeover. (AP Photo/The Post-Journal) BUFFALO OUT In an August 2012 photo, a bronze sculpture of Lucille Ball is displayed in Lucille Ball Memorial Park in the village of Celoron, N.Y., in her hometown. Since the sculpture was unveiled in 2009, the statue has been blasted by critics who say it bears little or no likeness to the popular 1950s sitcom actress and comedian. Village officials say they want the sculptor to fix it for free, but the artist wants as much as $10,000 to alter the statue. The village has started a fundraising effort to pay for the sculpture's makeover. (AP Photo/The Post-Journal) BUFFALO OUT

By Associated Press 1 min read

CELORON, N.Y. (AP) – The sculptor who created a much-maligned tribute to Lucille Ball in her western New York hometown says he’ll replace the statue for free after criticism of his depiction of the beloved 1950s sitcom star drew worldwide attention.

Dave Poulin (POO’-lihn) tells The Associated Press on Tuesday morning that he admits the life-size bronze statue placed in a village of Celoron park in 2009 wasn’t his best work. He plans to recreate a new statue.

Poulin says he has received hundreds of angry emails and phone messages, including some death threats, since a Facebook campaign was recently launched to replace the statue with a face that bears little resemblance to the “I Love Lucy” star.

Poulin sent a letter Monday evening to several media outlets, saying he takes full responsibility for what has become known as “Scary Lucy.”