The sculpture “Inner World, Outer World” by Seward Johnson has been purchased by the Cook Foundation and will now reside permanently on Main Street.

“Inner World, Outer World” has been part of a temporary exhibit of 10 statues lining Main Street that debuted as part of the Gloucester Arts Festival, which was held during June. However, the Cook Foundation arranged rental of the statues for the entire summer.

“On any given day, Instagram and Facebook were alive with creative photos showcasing them alongside many art appreciators,” said Jenny Crittenden, executive director of the Main Street Preservation Trust. “There wasn’t a time I drove down the street this entire summer that I didn’t see at least one person taking a photo with a statue—It was fun to see so many interacting and accessing the art.”

The Cook Foundation board has been engaging in a strategic plan over the last few months and one of the goals of the orga...