A statue long marking the entrance to the Legal Arts Building before it was renovated into Republic Plaza will find a new home at the University of Louisville. The C-J reported recently that the statue called Truth & Justice by famed local sculptor Barney Bright will be the focal point for a new outdoor space near the Miller Information Technology Center thanks in part to a $150,000 gift from the Trager family. Steve Trager, CEO of Republic Bank, led the group responsible for renovating Republic Plaza.
The new plaza is described as “meditative” and is expected to cost $300,000 to be raised privately. It will feature a raised reflecting pool and was designed by Rowland Design. The statue has been restored by Bright’s son Jeb and currently sits in storage at his Butchertown foundry.
We’re not sure where the rumors that the statue went missing came from, but Broken Sidewalk readers had reported last December that that the statue was to end up at U of L. More information can be found at the C-J, but these new details are certainly good for both the statue and for U of L.
I love this piece and I’m glad it’s finally found some owners with a bit more taste!
I am elated to hear that this statue has a new home and won’t end up in a gravel parking lot off Dutchman’s Lane or in the Fleet Yard on Logan Street. The initial description of the proposed installation, sounds exciting and actually sounds like maybe this piece will finally have found a great context which it sorely lacked on that barren corner of 7th & Market. I’ll be interested to see it when construction is complete.