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Obama statue on display in Lead

By Tim Velder

Large-scale statue on tap for July 4 unveiling at President’s Park

United States President Barack Obama has been on the job less than a month, but his image has already been immortalized in a permanent statue set for unveiling July 4 near Lead.

A 16-foot-tall bust of Obama, created by Texas artist David Adickes, will become a permanent addition to his President’s Park near Deer Mountain west of Lead on July 4, according to park manager Dave Olmstead.

Adickes started work on a life-size model immediately after Obama was elected the 44th U.S. president on Nov. 4. Olmstead unveiled the life-size statue Monday, President’s Day, at the Golden Hills Resort in Lead. A couple dozen citizens and media attended to mark the event.

Work on the large statue has not yet started, but will take about four months to complete, Olmstead said. Plans are to set Obama next in line after George W. Bush at the park.

Each bust is made of polished white concrete over a hollow steel frame. The heads are mounted on bases and stand 18 feet to 22 feet tall. Each presidential bust is placed in a sculpture garden with a kiosk explaining his career.Additionally, there are two flags flanking each bust: the president’s home-state flag and the United States flag.

The idea began in the mid 1990s when Adickes visited Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Adickes said he marveled at the four faces but was frustrated because he couldn’t get up close and touch them.That spawned the President’s Park concept and the creation of a recreational and educational place for visitors of all ages. The walk in the park is somewhat uphill and will take from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how much time visitors spend reading the placards at each head of state. The park opened in December 2002 and features a gift shop and café.

The attraction is closed during the off-season and is set to open on May 1. For more information e-mail to info@ presidentspark.com