Utah artist Dennis Smith will officially donate a 9/11 memorial sculpture to Fairfield University's Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery on Wednesday, Oct. 15, during a 1 p.m. ceremony.

The piece, called "Liberty Rising," is a bronze sculpture just over three feet tall that depicts the figure of Liberty with a torch and two figures, one supported by the other, and both protected by her.

"The promise of America has always rested in the idea of a place of respite, a haven for freedom," said Mr. Smith. "On September 11, 2001 we were brought back to a sense of our true destiny as a nation. Liberty is not freedom from one another, but an obligation to one another. We are only lifted as we lift one another."

Mr. Smith is affiliated with Fairfield's Charter Oak Gallery, which sought to find an appropriate home for the piece. Charter Oak was pleased the piece could located in a University environment.

"We are thankful that the Charter Oak Gallery and the artist selected us to provide a home for this piece, a beautiful and powerful reminder of our responsibility to one another," said Diana Mille, Ph.D., director of the Walsh.

Mr. Smith, who was raised in Alpine, Utah, graduated from Brigham Young University and attended the Royal Academy of Art in Copenhagen. In 1968 he set up a studio in his father's old chicken coop and began to exhibit his sculpture professionally. His works are on permanent public display in 15 states, the Ukraine, and the American embassies in Moscow, London and Prague.

The dedication ceremony, which will take place in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, is free and open to the public.

Posted On: 10-03-2003 09:10 AM

Volume: 36 Number: 86