Two oversized fruit and vegetable sculptures have become the center of a contentious debate in Ellicott City, Maryland, where local business owners and art supporters are clashing with historic preservation officials over the future of the quirky public art installations. The giant eggplant and peach sculptures, which sit prominently along Main Street, have divided the community between those who find them fun and engaging and others who consider them inappropriate distractions from the area's historic character.
The sculptures were created by Jan Kirsh, an artist from Bozman, Maryland, and are currently on display through a loan arrangement with the Fund for Art in Ellicott City. According to the agenda for a September meeting of the Howard County Historic Preservation Commission, both pieces are part of a rotating art program managed by the Howard County Arts Council. The controversy has intensified because the eggplant and peach have become associated with certain body parts in social media and texting culture, adding another layer of complexity to the debate.
Local business owners have shown strong support for the sculptures, with many embracing their presence outside their establishments. Paula Dwyer, owner of Georgia Grace Cafe, expressed her enthusiasm for the Georgia peach positioned outside her restaurant. "It was this big, beautiful orange peach. And, at first, honestly, I was like, 'Wow, this is amazing. I've never seen anything like it,'" Dwyer told 11 News. Her positive reaction reflects the sentiment of many merchants who see the art as beneficial to their businesses and the local atmosphere.
David Carney, owner of The Wine Bin, has similarly embraced the eggplant sculpture known as "the Aubergine" that sits outside his establishment. Carney addressed the controversy surrounding the sculpture's perceived resemblance to body parts with humor and practicality. "I guess I don't quite understand the innuendo because I have one of those body parts and it doesn't look like that and it's not purple, so I'm not sure really how that came about. It's kind of weird. So, it's kind of comical that people think that," Carney told WJLA.
The Aubergine sculpture received official approval from the Historic Preservation Commission to be displayed at 8267 Main Street, specifically at the Howard County Welcome Center, for an 11-month period as part of the rotating art program. According to the September 2025 commission agenda, this follows a previous installation where sculpture carrots were approved to sit in front of the Howard County Welcome Center for 11 months under the same rotating arts program, indicating that temporary art installations have been a regular feature of the area.
Despite initial approval and community support, the Historic Preservation Commission recently reversed course on the sculptures during their September 4 meeting. Commission members determined that the artworks are "detracting from the historic buildings" and have ordered business owners to remove them. However, the official minutes from the September 4 meeting have not yet been published to the commission's website, leaving some details of the decision unclear to the public.
The commission's decision has sparked significant pushback from art supporters and community members who are prepared to take legal action to preserve the sculptures. Don Reuwer, president of Waverly Real Estate Group, told Fox 45 that hundreds of signatures have already been collected in support of keeping the sculptures in place. Reuwer expressed frustration with the commission's dismissive attitude toward community input, stating, "Unfortunately, the chairperson told me they weren't interested in petitions, that the merchants are only temporary, so they don't matter. That was just the straw that broke the camel's back for me."
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between preserving historic character and embracing contemporary art in communities with significant historical significance. Ken McNaughton, a nearby resident, captured this sentiment when speaking to WJLA: "History is really important. It's great artwork, but I guess it's not historic enough for them." His comment reflects the broader debate about how historic districts should balance preservation with modern cultural expression and community engagement.
Those supporting the sculptures have indicated their willingness to challenge the removal order in court, setting up a potential legal battle over public art, community rights, and historic preservation priorities. The case represents a broader cultural conversation about the role of contemporary art in historic settings and who has the authority to determine what constitutes appropriate public expression in these spaces.
