Boonslick Outdoor
Arts Project
2:30 p.m. February 4, 2005
Boonslick Senior Center
415 Main Street, Boonville
Attending: Pat Holmes, Gary W. Nauman, Jim
Painter, Betty W. Bowen, Winky Friedrichs, Brett Rogers, Sabra Tull Meyer,
Maryellen McVicker, Bob Dyer, Virginia Council, Carol Crook, Carmen Jones, and
Nellie Sims.
Turner Bust: Kwan Wu made a presentation in
the morning at CCBC, had lunch with Carol Crook, CCBC president, Carmen Jones,
project chair, and Art Schneider. He held a community session at the Boonslick
Senior Center and then at Wal-Mart before the outdoor arts meeting.
Earlier in the day, the mayor had inquired about what happened to the clay model
afterward. She was interested in the possibility of it being kept for CCBC. He
said that the surface was destroyed, but that for about $200 he would be able
and willing to make a plaster cast that could be kept at CCBC. CCBC will need to
make that decision.
He told the project that he wanted to meticulous in creating an historical
piece. “This kind of person I feel a lot of responsibility,” he said. He
considers the impact of the sculpture and its affect on future generations. The
facial expression, he said, was the most difficult part of the process. He tried
to understand what kind of man Turner was. In 100 years, he suggested, there
will be a book or writings about the project. People will want to know about
what you have done.
He provided an extensive portfolio that included works in China, Kansas City,
the Negro Baseball Hall of Fame and work in the Smithsonian.
Carol Crook read the written comments, which included “so, so cool,” “great
presentation…and attention to detail.” “Eyebrows need to be thicker on bust’s
left eye.
Kwan suggested that the skin portion of the bronze be polished and that it be of
a darker patina. He said the tie would not be as polished as the skin. The suit
portion would be darker than the skin patina and the hair still darker.
Members also suggested that the tie be thicker and wider and that a vest be
included under the suit coat. Maryellen McVicker noted that the style of the day
dictated that a man wear a vest because suspenders were considered sexually
suggestive.
Brett asked about the lost wax process. Kwan explained the process of great
detail, noting the head would be cut in half and a latex type mold be made of
each half that would then for the base for a plaster mold. This would destroy
the surface of the oil-based clay. The plaster mold would be used by the foundry
to make yet another mold of ceramic material. A hole will then be cut in the top
of the head to allow for the interior wax to be “lost.”
He explained that the bronze is heated to 2000 degrees. The expansion that
occurs with the heating would explode the head if a hole were not in it. As the
cast cools it shrinks. He noted the bust is not solid because it would shatter
in the cooling process. The thickness is about an inch or less. He uses a bronze
mixture of 96% copper, 2% silicone and 2% other materials.
Additional firing of the bronze needs to done after this process. He noted there
are burn marks and a number of steps that he needs to do to bring the finished
product to completion.
Concurrence by the members on the following changes that he agreed to make in
the final product:
Thickened left eyebrow
Thicker and wider tie.
Inclusion of a vest line near the base where the lapels form a V.
He will send a photo of the modified bust to Carmen Jones and Art Schneider for
dissemination to the project members. Art asked that the pixel level be reduced
because it takes a long time to download for those with dial up web access.
The turn around to Kwan will need to be rapid. He expects to have it completed
by June and will meet with the monument company and project members to finalize
placement of the bust and plaques. At that time the final payment will be made.
He told the project he will be unable to be in Boonville for the dedication
because he will be at an international sculptors’ conference in Colorado from
then Thursday before the dedication to the Monday after the dedication.
J. Milton Turner Donor Plaque: Art distributed the International Bronze FAX of
the layout and the wording for discussion and approval by the project.
He said the list had been proofed several times, but he wanted everyone to
review it to be certain it was accurate.
He suggested that instead of Turner Donor List the “headline” for the plaque
simply state DONORS. Concurrence.
He also suggested to save letters and cost that donation categories of “$250” be
replaced by $250+ and “$100 OR MORE” be replaced by $100+.
Concurrence.
Carol suggested, “CHARLES SUMNER ALUMNI-BOONVILLE” read “CHARLES SUMNER
ALUMNI-BOONVILLE CHAPTER”
Concurrence to do so.
Carmen Jones asked why K. C. was used and not Kansas City in the BOONVILLE
SUMNER ALUMNI –K. C. CHAPTER. Art said that it was a common abbreviation, much
like St. Louis instead of Saint Louis.
Carol suggested that the line be “BOONVILLE SUMNER ALUMNI –KANSAS CITY CHAPTER.”
Gary Nauman suggested that the four lines in the ending sentence leave out the
words “DONOR” as it was redundant.
Concurrence on this.
No other changes were suggested. Cost of the plaque will be $608 (maybe a few
dollars changed after modification.” Art asked if he should go ahead and order
the plaque. There were no objections.
BELOW IS THE PLAQUE WORDING SENT TO INTERNATIONAL
BRONZE DONORS
$5000
City of Boonville
$500
Randy, Linda & Hannah Potter, Potter Transport Inc.
$250+
Concerned Citizens for the Black Community
Boonslick Historical Society
Citizens Community Bank
Bank of America
Boonville Women’s Club
State Historical Society of Mo. Brownlee Grant
Caterpillar of Boonville
$100+
Anonymous
M. U. Extension of Cooper County
State Rep. Larry Crawford (Citizens for Crawford)
Nancy Drew
Dale & Phyllis Reesman
Mrs. Hirene Williams
Stumph Dentistry
UMB Bank
Danielle and Dick Blanck
Virginia D. Wilson
Wade Tisdale Jr.
STOMP (Starting Today On Making Progress)
Charles Sumner Alumni-Boonville Chapter
Larry & Betty Sieckmann
Mr. & Mrs.. Charles Connor
Charles Sumner Alumni—Boonville Chapter
Vernice Givens & Family
George R Harper
Boonville Sumner Alumni—Kansas City Chapter
Special thanks for professional services by Boonville Parks & Recreation
Department, Concerned Citizens of the Black Community, M.U. Extension of Cooper
County.
Park Update: Gary said the Hannah Cole
project portion of Morgan Street Park was completed (to cheers). He noted the
park’s crew had to wait until the ground was frozen to move the donor plaque and
stone into place because it weighed more than a ton. The corrected story plaque
also is in place. With the summer plantings, the park should look stunning.
Gary also reported that the park board has approved and forwarded to the
Boonville City Council approval of the Bingham and David Barton busts. The city
council will have this on the February 7 agenda.
Gary said Captain Joseph Kinney’s selection had been set aside at this time. He
noted the board questioned Kinney over Gov. Lon Stephens. Gary reviewed E. J.
Melton’s history of the county and W. F. Johnson’s.
Art noted that one board member came to the meeting well prepared. She noted
that Bob Dyer’s book only gave two lines to Captain Joseph Kinney and that he
did not live in Boonville, but moved to Rivercene. She noted Bob had given much
more space to riverboat Captain John Porter.
The position that had been taken at the outdoor arts meeting was that the river
had made the town and that this justified a riverboat association.
Bob said that Porter was known as the “king of the riverfront” and that he ruled
the riverfront for 30 to 40 years in the 19th century. Bob also noted Porter was
“not likeable” to Boonvillans. Porter tried to block a walkway over the old
railroad bridge because he operated a ferryboat.
Bob also reported that Kinney was upset at the taxes he had to pay in Boonville.
He believed he was taxed “too much” that was the reason for moving across the
river. He also moved his business across the river.
Lon Stephens, he said, was important to the town for Thespian Hall.
Bob said if Kinney is a blocking point, perhaps a statue of Kinney or Porter at
Cobblestone Park should be considered.
Maryellen noted that Stephens was only known in Missouri, while Kinney was known
far more widely than Stephens.
Concurrence there I enough on the table in the future that selection of a sixth
person can wait.
Bingham Bust: Fundraising is still in
process for the Bingham bust. Art said Dave Miller, former executive of the
chamber, is heading the Heritage Days Committee and this year Bingham will be
the theme. This also will give greater exposure to the project, as the
dedication will immediately follow the Heritage Days Parade when a crowd already
will be present. There is a proposal before the City Council for $4000 toward
the bust. But additional monies still will be needed by the end of April.
Honorary Boonville citizen Sabra Tull Meyer has arranged for a bust that she did
for a private collector to be used for the park bust. A photocopy of the
original was distributed to the members. All were very pleased. The bust shows
him at an age while living and active in Boonville. By the end of March she
could have a wax model for the committee to view. Agreement to do this. March
meeting will be set when Sabra has the model.
Ken Winn, state archivist, has agreed to write the story and the chronology and
be the guest speaker for the dedication.
The cost of the bust will be three payments of $2026. This does not include the
cost of the donor plaque.
Art asked approval for the first payment of $2026 to be made to Sabra, as those
funds are available.
Kemper Bust: Art reported $265 has been
raised for the Kemper bust. He distributed an e-mail from Kemper alumnus Ray
Kendeigh noting that the president of the alumni committee had placed a
challenge to all alumni for a donation of $100. Ray also noted that the alumni
would be meeting in Boonville in April.
The goal is to have this dedicated by the September alumni meeting. With the
lead-time required for a bronze, this would require submitting a request for
proposals next month, and approval shortly thereafter. A photo of Kemper
provided by Jim Higbie is on the web.
Art also noted that the Friends of Kemper has pledged a sizeable donation to the
fundraising effort.
Osage Indian Statues: Maryellen noted that
as the project moves ahead on the works at Morgan Street, it is time to consider
long-term projects. “We do not do much justice about Native Americans,” she
said. Also, Maryellen reminded members that an Indian figure had been discussed
for inclusion at Morgan Street Park. The Cooper County Commission was approached
about Native American statues on the courthouse lawn and turned down the
proposal.
While attending a meeting the Missouri River Communities Network, Maryellen
heard a presentation by Shannon Cave of the Conservation Committee on Osage
sculptures.
Her ears perked!
Mo-DOT has a new director and there is interest in bridge abutments with
sculpture. She reported that in Chattanooga the river has sculpture on the north
end of a bridge there.
Maryellen said the south end of the Boonslick Bridge does not have a setting for
the statues, but the north end offers a possibility.
She also reported that the Boonslick Bridge is the only one crossing the
Missouri River that has a pedestrian walkway.
Art reported that earlier estimates placed the cost of two 12 to 14 foot Osage
statues at about $240,000. That does not include landscaping and foundation
work, etc… Previously, he had contacted U. S. Representative Sam Graves’ office
and a liaison there contacted Art and offered to assist in locating possible
federal funding to assist in this.
Bon Dyer suggested a Missouri Indian on one side and an Osage on the other side
of the north entrance.
Maryellen said Glenn Langston of Boonville and Dan Elliott of Central Methodist
University are highly knowledgeable about Indians in the area and suggested they
be contacted early in the process.
Consensus for Maryellen to initiate a conversation with Mo-DOT. Art asked Jim
Painter if he would serve as liaison to the Boonville City Council and
administration on this. Jim agreed to do so.
Sombart Family Plaque: Art noted that since
the last meeting a total of $3000 has been pledged to a memorial to the Sombart
family. He said Sabra had looked into the cost and for an oval bronze plaque
with five bas-relief heads on a stone base would cost more than $9000—not
including storyboard and donor list.
After considerable discussion, the project felt that it was too much to
undertake with the projects that are ongoing. Art will notify the pledge makers.
POWs in Missouri: David Fielder is the author of a book, The Enemy Among Us:
POWS in Missouri During World War II, published by the Missouri Historical
Society of St. Louis, in 2003.
Art has been in contact with Fielder about a possible program in April as a
fundraiser for the Frederick T. Kemper bust & pedestal. He is giving a
presentation in Salisbury in the evening and would be available during the day.
This would reduce the costs. It would take at least 20 people attending at $10 a
person to pay the $100 fee and raise $100. University of Missouri Extension in
Cooper County would sponsor the presentation.
Art asked if project members thought there would b sufficient interest. Three
said they would be willing to pay $10 to attend such a program. Art will contact
David Fielder.
Meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.