Visitors to the First Avenue Park in Covington may feel the impulse to sneeze—or sniffle. Or even talk like W. C. Fields or Jimmy Durante. The reason for this phenomenon is part of a legacy left during the mayoral administration of Keith Villere—a giant nose sculpture, growing from the ground and pointing to the sky.

During his administration, Villere wanted to create interactive art on playgrounds and art throughout the city to help create the art community’s identity.

The first project was the nose—part of a nose garden, to be surrounded by a rose garden. Sculptor of the nose, Al Ornsby, was one of the original planters of the rose/nose garden. Kids can climb and jump from the sculpture. The idea was to develop the arts in Covington and improve recreation at the same time.

ACHOO! Talk about a stuffy nose '€” this nose in Covington'€™s First Avenue Park takes art to a new level as the first and only piece of public art created during former mayor Keith Villere'€™s administration. (Staff Photos by Debbie Glover)

Although other ideas were proposed at the time, Villere said the nose was the only public art created and the other ideas never came to fruition.

“It was meant to be whimsical—interactive and kids were encouraged to play on it,” said Villere.

Ornsby, now 73 and still creating, said he had many ideas for the city, but the only one ever accepted was the nose. He constructed the nose out of aerated concrete and sculpted it in his driveway.

He was paid $2,800 for his effort. The only piece he has created from concrete, he currently works in metal and marine aluminum. He currently is building an English wheel to work upon in his garage.

The inspiration for the nose came from his background in portrait sculpture and European art. In Europe, there are many such art pieces in parks, including ears and feet. In fact, the work is reminiscent of “The Awakening,” a giant half-buried 100-foot man created in cast aluminum by J. Seward Johnson displayed in a park in Washington, D. C.

The exact date of the nose is still fuzzy. Built during Villere’s administration, both seem to think the nose dates about 10-12 years ago.

The mystery of whose nose it really is has not waned in all this time, and the nose still attracts a crowd. So whose nose is it? Does the nose even know?

Rumors have surrounded its origin for years. Politicians of the time, including Villere, have been named as the nose’s model.

Ornsby said the nose is in the eyes of the beholder-it can be anyone’s nose you wish it to be, or any combination thereof. But, he said he sculpted it based on his own nose.

Recent efforts to highlight the nose include new lighting in the park at night.

Another of Villere’s interactive art projects was the play structure at Bogue Falaya Park, built with the help of volunteers and parents in the community. Next to the structure is a wall of hand tiles.

For a fee, parents had their children put their handprints on the tiles in colorful paint that was then fired onto the tile. The cost of the tiles helped defray the cost of the play structure, while adding a bit of art to the park.

However, nothing has come ever come close to creating the mystery of artistic creation as the nose.

Have you ever wondered? Is there something in, around or about St. Tammany Parish that has you puzzled or curious? Is there a question that’s been tugging at your brain, and you just don’t know how to find the answer? St. Tammany News wants to help. Ask us, and we’ll share whatever we can find out. Also, if you know something you think might be stumping somebody else, feel free to provide both the question and the answer. We’ll be happy to pass it on. Contact Anne Lautzenheimer at 649-0253.