Arts Huntsville is inviting the community to help name a new kitten sculpture recently installed at Jim Marek Park.
The sculpture, titled “Fat Ruby,” depicts a mother cat and her kitten and was created by Birmingham-based sculptor Joe McCreary of Birmingham Sculpture. The piece was commissioned through a partnership between Arts Huntsville, the City of Huntsville and Councilman Bill Kling, who supported the installation through district discretionary funding.
According to organizers, the mother cat will keep the name Fat Ruby, inspired by McCreary’s wife’s real-life rescued cat, but the kitten still needs a name.
Residents are being asked to submit creative two-word names that include a gem or jewel reference to match the Ruby theme. Suggested examples include names like “Tiny Topaz,” “Dainty Diamond” and “Sassy Sapphire.” Kling will select the winning entry from community submissions.
“When we came to visit the site, we noticed there was a cat hanging out near the park,” McCreary said. “You can’t tell from the sculpture, but Fat Ruby’s a tortie. She has tortitude.”
Community members can submit name ideas through comments on Arts Huntsville’s Facebook and Instagram posts or by emailing [email protected] through May 15.
Kling said public art helps create a stronger sense of identity in neighborhood spaces.
“I love using discretionary funds to put something special in our neighborhood parks,” Kling said. “These are the places where folks actually spend their time, and a little art goes a long way toward making a park feel like home.”
Executive director of Arts Huntsville Allison Dillon-Jauken said the project is part of an ongoing effort to expand public art installations in local parks.
“Councilmember Kling is a true champion for public art in neighborhood spaces,” Dillon-Jauken said. “He commissioned two sculptures for District 4 parks that were installed last year, and now we’re installing a second round in 2026 with Fat Ruby at Jim Marek Park and another piece coming soon to Mayfair Park.”
The sculpture was selected through the city’s Public Art Program and Public Art Master Plan process, which is managed by Arts Huntsville.
More information about the naming campaign and Huntsville’s public art initiatives is available at Arts Huntsville.
