The Langston Hughes statue project received approval Wednesday night from the Lawrence Arts Commission.

The commission will formally recommend to the Lawrence City Commission that the statue be placed in Watson Park near the gazebo and not far from the southeast corner of Seventh and Kentucky streets.

In a voice vote, the Arts Commission gave the statue project eight “yes” votes and two abstentions. Abstaining were Bill Carswell and Janet Satz.

Lawrence artist Kenneth Wheatley’s statue design proposal depicts Hughes as a man in his 50s sitting on a park bench with an open book on his lap. He is turned slightly sideways and looking to his left as if he might be talking to someone.

Carswell was the biggest critic of the design, calling it weak.

“It doesn’t have any character,” Carswell said. “It reminds me of a tourist spot where you stop to get your picture taken with it. I do not think it is an admirable piece of art.”

But Carswell was in the minority. Most of the commission spoke highly of the project.

Commission members did have plenty of questions for Wheatley, however. Why not depict Hughes as a boy? He rarely visited Lawrence after he grew up. Why place it in the park? Why not outside the old Carnegie Library near Ninth and Kentucky streets, where he spent much of his time as a boy?

¢ Statue to honor Hughes’ legacy (3-04-03)¢ Langston Hughes Symposium Web site¢ Books by Langston Hughes¢ Books about Langston Hughes¢ Langston Hughes in Lawrence¢ America’s Story: Langston Hughes

Wheatley said many sites were studied as a potential location for the statue. The Watson Park site was chosen for its serenity and visibility.

“You can see it, but it doesn’t just jump out at you,” he said.

As for depicting Hughes as an adult, Wheatley said he thought it better reflected Hughes’ accomplishments as a poet and a writer.

The statue project still must receive approval from the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Commission. Then it will go before city commissioners for final approval.

Wheatley and Clark Coan, Lawrence, who began the statue project two years ago, said private funds would be raised to pay for the statue. It is estimated to cost $35,000 to $40,000.