Model concepts for statues of Barbara Jordan and Cesar Chavez
to be unveiled Thursday at The University of Texas at Austin
October 3, 2005
EVENT: The unveiling of maquettes (small model concepts of bronze statues) of two nationally recognized champions of civil rights—the late U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan and the late Cesar Chavez, a civil rights and labor leader who became a spiritual force for social change.
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 6. Maps of campus are available online.
- 8:45 a.m.—The Barbara Jordan maquettes will be unveiled in Room 3.120 of Gregory Gymnasium, northeast corner of 21st at Speedway streets.
- 9:30 a.m.—The Cesar Chavez maquettes will be unveiled in the main concourse area of Perry-Castañeda Library, southwest corner of 21st at Speedway streets.
BACKGROUND: For many years, members of The University of Texas at Austin community had discussed the need for ethnic and gender diversity represented by statues and other works of art prominently displayed on campus. Students took the initiative in 2003 by passing a campus-wide referendum directing that a $1 per student per long semester and summer session fee be collected to erect two statues on campus. The statue for Jordan, who spent her final 17 years teaching in the LBJ School of Public Affairs after retiring from political life, was conceptualized by the service organization Orange Jackets tappee class, which expressed concern about the need on campus for a statue of a woman. Chavez, who fought for the rights of farm laborers and people of color, was chosen by the We Are Texas Too student organization, which prompted the formation of the Cesar Chavez Statue Committee. During the 78th legislative session, the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate passed House Bill 1537 supporting the fee. Gov. Rick Perry signed the bill into law on June 20, 2003. On Aug. 7, 2003, the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System approved the fee referendum. Collection of the student fees began in the spring 2004 semester and will conclude with the summer session of 2007.
In fall 2004, the Orange Jackets Barbara Jordan Statue Project Committee and the We Are Texas Too Cesar Chavez Statue Committee sent out a nationwide “call for artists.” Seventy-five nationally recognized artists submitted proposals for the Jordan statue and 70 for the Chavez statue. Working with the Texas Commission on the Arts, a committee selected four finalists for each statue project. The finalists competing to design the statue of Jordan, which will be near the Battle Oaks at 24th and Whitis streets, are Erik Blome of Crystal Lake, Ill.; Kim Crowley of Santa Fe, N.M.; Eddie Dixon of Lubbock, Texas; and David Newton of Dallas. Finalists for the statue of Chavez, which will be placed on the south side of the West Mall across from the Flawn Academic Center, are Tina Allen of North Hills, Calif.; Littleton Alston of Omaha, Neb.; Pablo Eduardo of Gloucester, Mass.; and Bruce Wolfe of Piedmont, Calif.
The maquettes will be displayed from Oct. 6 until Nov. 30. Students, staff, faculty and the Austin community are encouraged to provide feedback on the maquettes to help the committees in their final selection of artists before the end of December. The two statues will be unveiled in spring 2007.
CONTACTS: Dr. Sherri Sanders at 512-471-5017 regarding the Barbara Jordan Statue and Dr. Margarita Arellano at 512-471-5017 regarding the Cesar Chavez statue. General questions about the statue projects can also be directed to Dr. Juan C. Gonzalez, vice president for student affairs, at 512-471-1133.
For more information contact: Robert D. Meckel, Office of Public Affairs, 512-475-7847.
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