Sculptor Gary Prazen returns an old favor by creating new statue
The restoration of the statue-less monument in Price City's Pioneer Park is advancing. It should be ready for unveiling this summer during the city's centennial celebration.
Original Creations, Inc is making the monument and there is an interesting story connected to this.
At a recent inspection of the sculpture in progress, Gary Prazen commented that he was especially interested in this project because the original sculpture that he is replacing was created by Dean Fausett.
Prazen said that in 1988 he received a phone call from Fausett, who was quite a famous artist from Carbon County, but living in the East.
The two had never met, but Fausett told Prazen that on a recent trip back home, he had seen some of Prazen's work and asked him if he could recommend him for membership into the National Sculpture Society, which was quite a compliment.
Prazen was accepted as a member in the class of 1989. It was a high honor that he never forgot and always felt indebted to Fausett.
They spoke to each other by telephone after that, but never met. Prazen believes the original sculpture by Fausett was sculpted by hand in concrete and just didn't last.
The Daughters of Utah Pioneers have talked to Prazen about sculpting a maquette (miniature version) of the five foot bronze Pioneer woman that is being created by him at this time.
The idea for doing this is to help raise funds needed to finish paying for the statue and improving and securing the area. He has offered his assistance in creating this maquette by donating his sculpting of the piece and the molds. After the molds are made, Original Creation, Inc. would cast in bronze a limited numbered edition that would be used by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers for fund raising purposes.
The DUP has started their fund raiser and are asking for donations towards a goal of $20,000. This would help to pay for the statue, wrought iron fence around the monument to protect the flower garden that will be planted, a lighting system with a surveillance camera, and repair to the base of the monument.
The fund would also be used for maintenance of the two pioneer cabins.
With a donation of $800 or more a maquette , numbered and signed, will be given. For a donation of $100 or more a brick with your name on it will be placed in the flower garden. Donations of any amount will be appreciated. After all it is the $5 or $10 bill that puts a fund raiser over the top.
An account has been opened at the Utah Central Credit Union under the name of Daughters of Utah Pioneers and donations will be accepted there. Or you can call or write to the following:
Helene Majors
P.O. Box 105
Wellington, Ut 84542
435-637-3759
Penny Boyack
190 N. 100 E.
Price, Ut 84501
435-637-1018
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