ADAMS, Mass. — A sculptor who has immortalized the likes of Shaquille O'Neal, Yogi Berra and Pope John Paul II in bronze has been selected to cast Adams' most celebrated figure: Susan B. Anthony. 

 

The Adams Suffrage Centennial Celebration committee has selected award-winning sculptor Brian Hanlon to create the life-size bronze of Anthony and a smaller figure of her as a child.

 

Committee member William Kolis told the Selectmen on Wednesday that the committee received interest from 13 sculptors but voted to recommend the New Jersey-based sculptor to create the proposed statute.

 

"I will tell you ... the proposals were of the first order and were inspired in different directions," Kolis said. "We got a wide variety and, in the end, it became very difficult to wade through it all ... but the one we bring to you today is a consensus of the committee." 

 

The initiative started near two years ago as the committee formed to organize a yearlong celebration in 2020 to mark the 100th anniversary of passing the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote and the 200th birthday of Anthony.

 

Anthony was an early and important leader in the American suffragette movement. She was born at the Anthony home on East Road, where her birthplace is now a museum, and members of her family continue to live in Adams. 

 

Hanlon is a classically trained master sculptor who has created more than 300 pieces of public and private pieces and operates a foundry in Toms River, N.J. He may be may be best known in Massachusetts as the official sculptor of the Naismith Memorial Basket Ball Hall of Fame in Springfield. His sculpture of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of basketball, with several children was unveiled at the museum several years ago.

 

The proposed statue of Anthony will be of her as an adult standing on top of a set of steps with a younger version of herself below, linking her time as an adult activist and her early years growing up in Adams. Kolis said the adult statue will be 8 feet tall and the child statute will be a proportionate size.

 

"The Quaker values that she grew up on are here and I think kind of relate to what the values of a small town are," Kolis said. "Integrity, equality, commitment to service and honesty ... I would actually love to see that engraved in the first step."

 

Kolis said the project drew a lot of attention and sculptors from throughout the world but the committee felt Hanlon's skill and geographical location made him the obvious choice. 

 

"Part of it has to do with Brian's enthusiasm for the project ... and his geographic location allowed him to come to and view the site," he said. 

 

The plan is to locate the statue at the Town Common. 

 

Kolis said Hanlon was interviewed by the committee in person and was actually able to view the site and make recommendations. Kolis added that because he has his own foundry, Hanlon can do his finish work himself. 

 

The artist had also suggested using a live, local model for the design of the younger Susan. Anthony was born in 1820 so there are no images of her younger years, although there are numerous paintings and photographs of her as an adult. A digital representation of her at age 6 was created by special effects artist Diana Walczek in 2010.

 

"He suggested maybe having a contest to look for someone age 5 or 5," Kolis said. "That could be an interesting way to get the community more involved."

 

This brought Kolis to the dollar amount and he said Hanlon has offered to do the project for $130,000.

 

Kolis said this is actually a good price and that the going rate for a statue of the like is usually closer to $150,000. Kolis said Hanlon is interested in the project and is giving the town a deal.

 

"I will tell you that that is not the highest ... Mr. Hanlon assured us that with $130,000 there are some freebies he will throw in and he really wants to do this sculpture." 

 

Kolis said the group has already raised $35,000 and with matching grants from Adams Community Bank, it is already over the $50,000 mark.

 

"We have seen a lot of support from the town, but we still have a ways to go," he said.

 

Kolis said the fundraising goal for the entire celebration is $300,000. A committee member added that state Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams,has put in an amendment for another $50,000 and urged residents to call the other Berkshire representatives to support the amendment.

 

Selectman Joseph Nowak, speaking as a committee member, said it would be worth cleaning up the Town Common a bit before the statue is put in place.

 

Interim Town Administrator Donna Cesan said it is on the town's radar.

 

"I thought it would not only be a gesture but a companion effort," she said. "We know the Town Common needs upgrades and we would like to have them complete prior to the setting of the statue."

 

Chairman John Duval suggested that they rename the park after Susan B. Anthony in the future.

 

Kolis said the statue would be dedicated in August 2020 and it would likely take a year to create.

 

The Selectmen will officially vote to chose Hanlon at a future meeting.

 

Donations toward the statue can be made at celebratesusanbanthony.org.