Destruction! Thanks to Jonah for the pictures and report

The traffic circle at 11th and Denny is not the most secure place. Neighbors in the CHS Facebook Group were commiserating Monday over the sad destruction of the neighborhood rat gallery that had taken shape in the circle inspired by the nearby Saint Rat Mosaic in Cal Anderson Park.

The tiny gallery, the sculptures, and the “Take a Rat, Leave a Rat Exchange” might need another work party — and a new home.

CHS reported here on the “Hot Rat Summer” work party in July to restore the much-loved mosaic after the city painted over it during work on the historic Cal Anderson Gatehouse.

In the weeks since, neighborhood disciples of the saintly rodent continued to spread its messages of inclusivity and good times with the tiny gallery in the traffic circle complete with tiny watercolors in tiny frames. The number of artful rats in the circle ebbed and flowed along with the creativity and generosity of passersby who set to work on making new little art rats to add to the mix.

Like so many true works of public rat art, the gallery and the exchange faced the challenges of the city including vandals, inebriated party kids, and terrible drivers. Some combination of the unholy trio has left the traffic circle destroyed as of Monday.

In the Facebook group, discussion has started about how best to recreate the rat gallery and where nearby might make a safer, more permanent home for the project.

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