A sculptor has been selected to create a life-size bronze statue of Sir Arthur Currie which will be located in front of the local library and museum building on Frank Street in Strathroy.
Strathroy-Caradoc Council on November 4 supported a recommendation from the Sir Arthur Currie Memorial Project committee to award the commission for the sculpture to renowned Canadian sculptor Adrienne Alison. The bid submitted by Alison provided the most comprehensive proposal in terms of its exceptional design, impressive portfolio of life-size bronze figure work, and accommodating work plan. Hers was also the lowest of six bids received for the project, coming in at $100,546 for the bronze statue and inscribed granite base.
The project to erect a statue of the Strathroy native began in 2009 when a group of volunteers formed a project fund-raising committee. To date, over $70,000 has been raised, with the committee currently waiting on the result of a grant application to the Community War Memorial Program offered through Veterans Affairs Canada to assist with the balance of the project. The committee has received considerable support from private donors, corporations and fund raising assistance from the Army Cadet League of Canada (Ontario).
Donations are still being accepted to bring the project to completion and may be sent to “The General Sir Arthur Currie Memorial Project” c/o 266 Metcalfe St. W., Strathroy, Ontario, N7G 1N3. Donations may also be made online via the Currie Project’s website.
Currie was born at Napperton, Ontario, just outside of Strathroy, in 1875 and rose through the ranks of the military to become the first Canadian general to lead Canadians in the First World War. He became Principal of McGill University after the war, and died at Montreal in 1933. The General Sir Arthur Currie Memorial Project has been working to publicize and commemorate the military and personal achievements of Currie since the inception of the committee, with the long-term goal of erecting a statue in Strathroy. An engineered concrete base suitable for supporting the statue was placed as part of the renovations that took place at the library-museum facility last year.
Organizers are aiming to have the work completed for an unveiling ceremony in August 2014 to coincide with the centenary year of the Great War (1914-1918).
View the Report: Sir Arthur Currie Memorial Statue Project - Request for Tenders Response & Recommendation
Image: Artist's design concept of the statue.
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