11.25.08
Anybody Need a Lincoln Statue?
From today’s issue of the Hanover Sun newspaper:
Spot for Lincoln statue sought
By ERIN JAMES
Evening Sun Reporter
Posted: 11/25/2008 08:36:06 AM ESTAnyone got room for a nine-foot-tall statue of Abraham Lincoln?
A Salt Lake City-based sculptor has offered his latest art project to Gettysburg Borough officials on the condition that they find a place for it. And the town’s Borough Council is open to suggestions from the public – though they’ve got a list of potential Lincoln locales already in the works.
At the top of the list are two locations – the Adams County Public Library and Alumni Park, both on Baltimore Street in the borough – that council members Susan Naugle and John Butterfield said they are most strongly considering.
Other potential locations include the Lincoln Train Station on Carlisle Street, the future site of an Adams County Transportation Authority transit center on Carlisle Street, the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church on Baltimore Street and a spot in front of a York Street business.
Lincoln Square was also discussed as a possibility but will likely be dismissed because another Lincoln statue already resides there.
However, Naugle and Butterfield said they would prefer the Baltimore Street locations because of their proximity to other tourist attractions. If those plans move forward, it will be up to the library’s board and the Gettysburg Area School District – which owns Alumni Park – whether the statue could be placed on their properties.
The search for Lincoln locales is not over, however. No decision has been made by the full Borough Council, and Butterfield said officials are open to suggestions from the public about where Stanley Watts’ statue of Lincoln would best serve Gettysburg.
Watts has already begun work on the statue, for which he is using actual casts of Lincoln’s face and hands. The statue will portray Lincoln giving his famous Gettysburg Address, and a copy of the speech will be held in his hand and legible to viewers, Watts has said.
Watts had wanted the statue to be installed before Lincoln’s 200th birthday in February, but council members said that is unlikely to happen. The sculptor’s proposal to Gettysburg officials was made only recently.
Anyone with suggestions on where to place the statue should call borough Secretary Sara Stull at (717) 334-1160, extension 221.
Contact Erin James at ejames@eveningsun.com.
It would appear that the supply of statues of Old Abe outstrips the demand, at least in Gettysburg. Who’da thunk it?
Jared Frederick said,
November 25, 2008 at 11:38 pm
They should auction it off and give the money to preservation.
HA! That’s likely…
Craig Swain said,
November 26, 2008 at 10:00 am
Place the statue outside that “Battlefield” H-D Dealership. Have Lincoln holding a sign, “Loud Pipes Disturb the Battlefield.”
Jared Frederick said,
November 27, 2008 at 12:11 am
…Or “No Casino”!
Richard D Young said,
June 16, 2009 at 10:29 am
I feel I must warn you about the “big bad statue†coming your way. I have been following the story of the Lincoln statue for Gettysburg, a prestigious monument that should be done by a professional, well trained artist. Stan Watts of Utah is a scam artist who has saddled others with bad donated art. Abraham Lincoln deserves better.
Watts lies about his education and training. He claims to have been a student of the famous Avard Fairbanks, but only met him once casually. He claims to have been a student at Utah State University. He wasn’t. He promises high quality art work and it is awful. In reality, this man has never received any professional training at all.
Unlike skilled professional artists he can’t rely on commissions or art competitions to get a sculpting job. Watts tries to build his resume by offering donated statues. He is a smooth talker who convinces well meaning, trusting donors to pay for a statue which is donated to a prestigious organization like yours. Because it is a “gift†there is no quality or artistic oversight. This dubious practice forced the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to put a moratorium on accepting statues to stop a flow of bad quality, donated religious artwork.
I urge you to verify the background and training of this man before you accept his work. Get proof of his art education. Watts is known to “charm†his way by appealing to the patriotic or religious emotions of his perspective client. Please be vigilant or you will end up with a monstrous, sloppy creation and a lien. Please keep in mind that “big and free “does not always mean “good.†As a long time admirer of Abraham Lincoln, I would like to see this statue done by a well trained, professional artist.
Please understand that I write this because I have seen Watts take advantage of others and do not want to see it happen again. I too am an artist and have known Watts for years. I am not trying to get this job for myself but simply want to warn you to check his credentials. This shady business hurts all real artists.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Stan Watts or his reputation.
Paul said,
June 25, 2009 at 9:35 am
Sell it and give the money to John Latschar for fencing, etc.
Rich Linford said,
November 17, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Blog Post
regarding Richard D Young post
Richard W Linford Esq response
November 17, 2009 3:30 pm MST
To: Mr. Eric Wittenberg, Civil War Historian
My client Stan Watts called me today and asked me to respond to a June 16, 2009 post to your Blog by Richard D Young that keeps surfacing on the Internet periodically when Stan’s name is typed in. To begin with, I am a great friend to Stan and I want everyone to know that I have served as Stan’s attorney for a number of years so I know Stan personally and about Stan’s sculptures and business activities and I confirm that I have yet to see Stan do anything dishonest or improper as has been alleged by Mr. Young. Let me say upfront that the primary source of criticism of Stan, Richard D Young, in his post leaves us with the impression that he is merely a “competitor to Stan,” when in fact, Richard D Young is Stan’s brother in law. For whatever personal reason, and since Stan ceased to work with Mr. Young many years ago, Mr. Young has seen fit to occupy part of his time harassing Mr. Watts not only on this project but on several of Stan’s other projects. So in evaluating this matter, we all need to take Mr. Young’s activities and comments with a pound of salt. From either a journalistic point of view or a legal point of view, this undisclosed fact calls into question some if not all of the facts in Mr. Young’s post, borders on slander if it is not outright slander of Mr. Watts, and negates much if not all of the credibility of Richard D Young’s post.
Regarding Stan’s track record as a significant sculptor of our time, in his 48 year life Stan has created, placed and sold a large number of masterpiece works of bronze sculpture that will last through the ages including but not limited to his George Washington Equestrian at Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, his Founding Fathers and The Declaration of Independence at Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge and also at The Raymond James billionaire collection in Florida, his Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith Equestrian at the Nauvoo Illinois Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his William Shakespeare’s “Titania” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Cedar City, Utah at The Shakespeare Festival site, his “To Lift A Nation” Forty Foot Monument of The Three Firemen Lifting The Flag at Ground Zero now at Emmitsburg, Maryland, his Seabiscuit Equestrian now in California, his monument at Berea College commemorating the first integrated school in the United States, his “Litigation” American Bison fighting for Supremacy, his Pioneer Handcart Family in a Prayer of thanks titled “Journey’s End” now placed in Salt Lake City, his Joseph Smith Jr. Reading James 1:5 in the Bible titled “Leaning into the light.” And this is only a partial list. These and other monuments are now installed throughout the nation.
Stan’s work speaks for itself. One can see the quality of Stan’s work at his website which provides more than ample evidence of Stan’s ability, training, experience and highest standards of professionalism. Regarding Stan’s education, Stan does not shy away from the fact that in large measure he is self taught as is the case with all great artists. And Stan is grateful for the principles he learned from Avard Fairbanks both personally and from studying Mr. Fairbank’s sculptures.
Regarding Stan’s approach to the business of sculpting, the work of creating a monument or for that matter and to be specific the work of creating Stan’s now priceless Gettysburg Lincoln Monument is a process not an event. Those who underwrite and fund such monuments and donate them have always been reluctant to do so until the monument is sculpted and has a home. Contrary to Richard D Young’s myopic view of the industry, such monuments are seldom commissioned and placed by amateur or professional competitions and a bidding process. Such monuments are commissioned and placed because of a sculptor’s track record and the quality of his work. I recently saw Stan’s Lincoln monument and can only say that it captures the essence of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Once Stan posts a picture of his Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address monument to his website each person can judge for herself or himself. Stan’s website is http://www.atlasbronzecasting.com
Best regards, Richard Linford, Esq.