| Century-old sculpture honors poet (4/08) | | Print | |
| Written by Lydia O'Connor | |
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A sculpted bust of the school’s namesake is out of storage and on display after a librarian and members of the Lowell Alumni Association gathered funds to purchase protective casing. Librarian Linda Guitron is planning a ceremony to honor the arrival of the bust of James Russell Lowell to the Meyer Library, where it is surrounded by other historical Lowell-related items. “The principal, LAA members, teachers, parents and students will be invited,” said LAA executive director Paul Lucey, who is helping plan the event. Librarian Linda Guitron added that they plan to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony and cake. Though its exact origin is unknown, a hazy enscription on the bust led Guitron to believe it was sculpted in 1906. The alumni had previously stored the statue away from view in the LAA office, partly due to concern for its safety. “When we moved to (the new campus) the bust was salvaged and placed in the archives where it has languished since 1962,” Lucey explained. The LAA helped Gu itron bring the statue out of storage by financing her project. To address concerns about safety, Guitron sought out the protective plastic case for the piece. She explained that she measured the bust and got a price for it, adding that the LAA donated approximately $600. Seeing other schools' namesakes prominently displayed inspired Guitron to bring Lowell’s bust out from hiding. "I noticed when I was in the Lincoln library that they have a full-size statue of Lincoln, and the same for George Washington at Washington,” she said. "I just think it's a shame that the kids don't know who the school is named for." The school has made attempts in the past to educate students about the poet. Two years ago, art students painted a mural in the library that included a portrait of Lowell, though Guitron said she feels students aren't aware of whom the mural depicts. Joining the bust in the casing are original manuscripts of Lowell’s poetry that parent volunteers Mirium Carruthers and Kathleen Velykis obtained, according to Guitron. |
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