Set in Stone

3 accomplished sculptors discuss fire memorial art

A recent sculpture by Brian Hanlon. It is a memorial to fallen firefighter Kevin Apuzzio of East Franklin, N.J. Photo courtesy Brian Hanlon	The Arkansas Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial, by Robert Daus, in progress. It will be a large multi-sculpture fountain near the state capitol building in Little Rock. Photo courtesy Kevin Miller, AFFM	Steve Parks (left), owner of Parks Bronze, will cast the statues in Enterprise, Ore. Bob Daus (right), sculptor of the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial. Photo courtesy Kevin Miller, AFFM

Visit cities and small towns across the country, and you’ll find an amazing array of sculpture memorials to firefighters erected by communities and fire departments.

What makes a good firehouse sculpture, and how does a department go about commissioning its own?

Art Appreciation

You don’t need an advanced degree in art to recognize a good memorial. But you might want to consider the opinion of some respected sculptors who create the pieces.

“Firefighters are very traditional people, and very realistic,” says Robert Daus Sr., a former St. Louis firefighter who now owns Liberty Art Works, Inc., in Dutzow, Mo. “They like very traditional art.”

But what about the emotion behind the tribute? One sculptor says he creates the sorrow, pride or other powerful impact by working with an individual in mind, such as the mother of the deceased. “The pieces I’ve been privileged to do are memorials that are very heartfelt, and the [subjects] were amazing guys,” says Brian Hanlon of Hanlon Studio in Toms River, N.J. “When I capture that and the work touches people, that makes it successful.”

4 Steps for a Successful Sculpture

If your department is considering commissioning a sculpture, here is some advice on how to begin the process, straight from the sculptors.

“Take your time and do your homework on what you want to do—and on what’s possible to do,” Hanlon advises. Daus adds, “My advice is to shop around. Don’t go with the first bid you get. Call the artist, talk to them, and look at their pieces. They should work with you and help you.” An artist experienced in working with fire departments, local government or even general committees can, and should, be a wealth of information and advice.

Here are the first four steps you should take to get you on the right path to getting the artwork you want:

1. Form a Committee
“One of the hardest parts is when a department decides that they want a memorial, and they pick one person and put them in charge,” says Paul Olesniewski, a retired firefighter who runs 911 Sculpture in Tucson, Ariz. “That person may have no idea where to go or how to go about it.”

A better way, says Olesniewski, is to form a committee of at least two firefighters to share the work. “Normally, the community wants to be involved, though the department might not realize that,” he says. “Include them on the committee—and keep in mind that community businesses can help with donations.”

2. Know Your Budget
More than anything, available funds will dictate what type of sculpture or memorial you will get, so draw up a tentative budget.

“I hate to say it, but cost is the biggest factor,” Olesniewski says. He—and many others—can look at a department’s budget to come up with suggestions or solutions, though those may not be what you originally had in mind. “I did a sculpture for a small town in Kentucky,” Olesniewski recalls. “They were holding potlucks and so on to raise funds for a memorial. They wanted a six-foot statue but it was out of their price range. I suggested they put a smaller piece on a pedestal with a plaque.”

An experienced artist will have ideas on fundraising, too. “I’ll give a department ideas on how to raise money for a sculpture,” Daus says. “They can sell paving stones or bricks with names on them, or create small reproductions or posters to sell or to give to big donors.”

3. Choose a Location
Where do you want your sculpture? The location will often determine the size of the sculpture, and may even determine the design. Consider any complications that might accompany this decision.

“It also helps [discussions with sculptors] to have a location—is it going to be in front of the station, or in a park?” Olesniewski says. “In a city, you’ll need permits. You’ll also have to consider accessibility and handicapped accessibility, maybe lighting, and even liability insurance.”

4. Share Your Vision
After considering budget and location, if you have some idea of what you want the sculpture to look like, or what you want it to convey, discuss that with the artists.

“I usually talk to them about the space and the subject matter,” explains Hanlon. “I’ll ask if they want a tribute or a memorial—those are two very different things, and an important decision to know.”

Olesniewski sums up: “There are a lot of things to consider other than just price. Get a tentative idea of what you’d like.”

This advice should give you some guidelines to follow if you’re interested in commissioning a memorial—but remember, it’s not set in stone.

Jane Jerrard is a freelance writer living in Chicago and a regular contributor to FireRescue.