Waukegan's Ray Bradbury statue beginning to take shape

A community effort to erect a statue to commemorate the legacy of renowned science fiction author and Waukegan native Ray Bradbury has progressed to the production stage.

The Ray Bradbury Statue Committee, a project of the Waukegan Public Library Foundation, has raised more than $100,000 in its efforts to fund the statue, which was designed by sculptor Zachary Oxman.

Oxman's proposal for a monumental, 12-foot stainless steel sculpture was selected in August 2016 from a pool of more than 40 submissions from U.S.-based and international artists.

With this sculpture, to be installed on the grounds of the Waukegan Public Library, Bradbury will finally be recognized with a permanent tribute in downtown Waukegan, at the current location of the library which was so central to his formative years.

In addition to honoring Bradbury, the committee jumped at the opportunity to bring a major new work of public art to the downtown area, particularly given its proximity to the historic Genesee Theatre and the statue of Jack Benny, as well as major foot traffic along County Street.

The Committee, composed of arts and community leaders from Waukegan and beyond, has fundraised over 80 percent of the $125,000 total cost of the project, with only $20,000 remaining. The efforts have been largely grass-roots and focused on small donors seeking to honor this extraordinary literary icon, along with major gifts from private foundations, corporate sponsors, local businesses and individual donors.

A generous in-kind donation from Waukegan-based general contractor and landscaper Stuckey Construction Company will cover additional expenses related to the installation of the statue.

Donations to the project are welcome and may be made at www.raybradburystatue.org. Donations to the Waukegan Public Library Foundation are tax-deductible, and gifts of $150 or more are recognized with a book from Ray Bradbury's personal collection.

Bradbury left much of his personal collection to the Waukegan Public Library upon his death in 2012.

Oxman, who is known for monumental public art as well as commissions completed for the U.S. Department of State under President Barack Obama, is fabricating the sculpture in parts at his studio in Bethesda, Maryland.

The components for a rocket that will be part of the statue are already completed, and assembly is in progress. The figure of Ray Bradbury, which features a detailed portrait, is about to be cast. Oxman is passionate about increasing access to the work and his process.

"Once the sculpture starts taking shape, I'll open up my studio via webcam for scheduled studio visits and chats so people can share in the experience," he said.

Information and links will be available at www.raybradburystatue.org and www.waukeganpl.org.

Oxman's commitment to making the sculpture's fabrication accessible to the community was a compelling aspect of his proposal, according to Richard Lee, chair of the Ray Bradbury Statue Committee and recently retired executive director of Waukegan Public Library.

"This sculpture of Ray won't just honor his legacy, it will spark the imagination of new generations of fans in Waukegan and beyond," Lee said. "It will inspire them to pursue creative projects and put their talents to good use, just as he did."

The statue itself is fabricated in stainless steel, and features an elder Bradbury astride a rocket ship, waving a book in the air as he journeys forth.

Oxman was inspired by Bradbury's poem "If Only We Had Taller Been," and wanted to evoke Bradbury's imagination and vision through the piece. A portion of the poem will be inscribed at the base of the statue, and a video of Bradbury reading the poem in its entirety is available at www.raybradburystatue.org.

Donations to support the fabrication and installation of the sculpture may be made at www.raybradburystatue.org, and donors making gifts of $500 or more will be recognized near the statue.

Plans are underway for an unveiling celebration and dedication slated for summer 2019, ideally to coincide with Bradbury's 99th birthday on Aug. 22, which will spark a year of celebration throughout Waukegan for Bradbury's centennial in 2020.

More information about Waukegan Public Library services can be found at www.waukeganpl.org.

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