Los Altos sculptor R.J. Truman has been named one of the three finalists for creating the veteran’s memorial to be put in Shoup Park in Los Altos.
But the design selection committee for the Veterans Memorial Association of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills had no clue that a local artist was in the final three until after the three were selected.
“We looked at their slides. We could see their skills,” said Bill Henderson, co-chairman of the association. “We had only a last name. We didn’t know where they were from or the sex of the candidate.”
The committee sent out 400 applications all over the country. From that, 40 artists, including sculptors from as far away as Nantucket, Mass., and Florida responded. Each sent applications that included slides of their portfolios.
“We knew we had a Los Altos artist in the 40,” Henderson said. But those who set up the slide review for the selection committee arranged the process so only last names were known.
“It was a very objective selection. We weren’t looking for a Los Altos artist,” Henderson said. “She was selected entirely on her own merit.”
In addition to Truman, J. Garr Ugalde from Sacramento and John Battenberg from San Francisco are also finalists.
Truman’s model, named “Cradle of Liberty,” shows a soldier with one foot on a stone, as he leans into his knee, cradling a baby swaddled in an American flag.
Ugalde’s model, called “Land, Sea and Air,” shows three figures, one from the Air Force, one a combat soldier down on a knee and an Army veteran saluting the flag.
Battenberg sculpted four figures, embracing, one with no legs, wearing uniforms.
City council members each visited the models last weekend at the Henderson home. The models are too heavy to move to city hall.
The association’s design selection committee will be choosing one design that will then be going before the city council at the June 24 meeting.
The association plans to unveil the final, seven-foot bronze statue in a ceremony July 4, 1998. The artist will be given a year to complete the project and will be paid $80,000.
The association is working with a $100,000 budget, $70,000 of which has been raised.
If you are interested in making a donation, to help build the veterans memorial, you may send a tax deductible check payable to the Veterans Memorial Association, 626 Twelve Acres Dr., Los Altos, 94022.
