Restoration giving weathered gull sculpture a lift

Restoration of the “Seagulls in Flight” sculpture outside the Corona del Mar branch of the Newport Beach Public Library began Monday.

Weather and other environmental factors have caused the sculpture to become cracked and chipped over the years, prompting the city Arts Commission to approve its restoration at a cost of $4,450, according to a city staff report.

The sculpture, depicting a cluster of gulls in flight, was donated to the city in 1960 in memory of 18-year-old Molly McClintock, who was killed in a car crash shortly after graduating from Newport Harbor High School.

The work was first displayed at Corona del Mar State Beach and then was moved to the library branch.

The sculpture will be placed in storage while the library undergoes renovations beginning next spring, the city said.

Hannah Fry