Mishka the Bear

Mishka means bear or teddy in the Russian language and was selected by a panel from over 100 suggestions. The Coralville Public Library sculpture patio was created by Valery Kovalev, a sculptor and painter from Kaliningrad, Russia. The Kovalev sculpture group includes Mishka and three friends, as well as a limestone patio and a perennial garden. The art work was dedicated at the Library's 35th Anniversary Celebration on September 23rd, 2000 and made possible through contributions from Friends of the Library, the Library Foundation, Hills Bank, the City of Coralville, and a gift in memory of Arnold S. Kauble.
Mr. Kovalev travels to the United States regularly to do various commissioned works. He works in a variety of media, and is internationally recognized for public art and sculptures as well as graphics and illustrations. 

*Mishka is temporarily in storage during the Library's building expansion.