The Apple of the Entire City's Eye

is coming home to stay.

The artwork, done by local artist Nancy Pitel, was on display during the summer at the as part of the statewide MI Apple Trail project.

The trail featured 20 super-sized Michigan apples throughout Wayne, Oakland and Genesee counties, each decorated by local artists. After being displayed in their local communities, the apples were shown at Detroit Eastern Market from Sept. 17 through Oct. 14.

On Oct. 14, Eastern Market held its annual Apple Gala and Auction, where the apples were auctioned off to the highest bidder, with proceeds benefiting each of the markets that hosted the project.

Wyandotte Mayor Joseph Peterson liked Pitel's finished project so much, he decided he needed to buy it so it could return to Wyandotte.

Unable to go to the auction himself because of another commitment, Peterson sent Patt Slack, chairwoman of the city's Downtown Development Authority, to the gala to bid on his behalf.

The bidding was competitive, but Slack came out on top, getting the apple for about $425.

"Other people bid on our apple, but (the) mayor made it clear that I not return without our apple," Slack said. "It’s a wonderful representation of the city of Wyandotte and Mayor Peterson wanted to give it back to the community."

Pitel, a full-time painter of portraits and fantasy realism, designed the apple with depictions of the riverfront, the farmers market, parades, fireworks and several other noticeable Wyandotte attractions.

“I was totally pleased to have this project,” Pitel said. “The community feeling in Wyandotte, that’s what I tried to put on the apple.”

Peterson, who also is an assistant coach for the , said having the championship ring from the school's painted on the apple makes it even that much sweeter.

“It says Wyandotte all over that apple,” Peterson said.

Wyandotte Apple Wins People's Choice Award

Peterson wasn't the only person eyeing Wyandotte's apple. Thousands of other people also put their support behind it in an online voting contest sponsored by the MI Apple Trail.

Photographs of all 20 apples were displayed online during a summerlong People's Choice Award voting contest. The Wyandotte apple won with 19,193 votes, followed by Flint with 16,140 votes.

Considering that the Flint Farmers Market is larger than Wyandotte's, the win is even more meaningful, said Natalie Rankine, director of the Wyandotte Downtown Development Authority.

“It was wonderful that our burgeoning market was represented along with other larger, more established farmers markets in the area," she said. "The DDA was thrilled to be a part of this important public art project and we’re elated that it’s returning to the city."

For now, the apple will be displayed at while officials figure out a permanent location. Peterson said he hopes the apple can be taken to each school in the district so that every Wyandotte child has a chance to see it.

"It could inspire the next great artist, who knows," Peterson said. "The kids need to see all of the great things going on in Wyandotte."