FIRST LOOK: PROPOSED NEWPORT BEACH REAGAN STATUE

 

By Eric Longabardi

NewportBeachNow has obtained the first pictures of a proposed memorial statue of former President Ronald Reagan, as rendered by local Newport Beach artist and sculptor Miriam Baker of Balboa Island.

Baker sculpted the scale models, known as "maquettes" for her proposal sent to the city last month.  Baker and over a dozen other artists from around the country are vying for the project.

According to Baker, another slightly different version of the statue from above, with the former President waving as opposed to giving the 'thumbs up' gesture will most likely be what the final version ultimately look likes if she is selected to create it.

Newport Beach City Councilman Keith Curry who spearheaded the Reagan statue memorial from the start told NewportBeachNow that although a committee of donors have yet to make their recommendation to the city, that "the donor committee is very pleased" with Ms. Baker's work and she is a "distinguished artist" who's previous work depicting Reagan in sculpture makes her "an excellent choice" to create the statue.

Last week the City's Art Commission recommended Baker as their choice to create the statue. The final decision on who will ultimately creates the statue is still pending.  That decision will ultimately fall to Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff, according to a resolution passed by the Newport Beach City Council in February.

For our previous stories on the Reagan statue in Newport click here, here and here.

Comments

[Republic Rocker]

Gotta go COWBOY.........! Forgetthe boring suit stuff! Really.

[Michael George]

Looks like Don Rickles with hair.

[Lagoona]

Isn't it enough that we have an airport named after another actor (also a bad one? Can we in OC please check in with reality and find a real person to adulate, maybe one who was what s/he purported himself to be, and who helped humanity?

[Lagoona]

And also? This doesn't really even look like the Gipper.

[BKazmer]

Where is the statue of "W" going to be?