On Lincoln’s Birthday – the presidential library and museum in Springfield that bears his name announced a new sculpture that will honor his legacy.
Called Beacon of Endurance, the 24 foot tall obelisk will feature Lincoln quotes …and at night will project aspirational words about American society onto a museum wall. Those words will be determined as the project moves forward. The public will have a chance to share ideas.
“We are excited to bring this important work to our site,” said Lance Tawzer, exhibits director at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and one of the people who selected Krivanek+Breaux’s proposal. “The sculpture will identify the museum to people approaching from the east and, more importantly, inspire reflection and discussion about Lincoln for generations to come.”
The $223,000 project is made possible by the Illinois Capital Development Board’s Art-in-Architecture program. The board reserves one-half of one percent of the cost of state building and renovation projects to purchase public art. Since its inception in 1977, it has purchased or commissioned nearly 1,000 works by Illinois artists.
The sculpture will stand along the presidential museum’s southeast corner at Jefferson and Seventh Streets.
