ID#:
PALM 00012
Artist:
Yates, Dawn D.
Title:
Charles Farnsley
Date:
1999
Medium:
Metal
Material:
Bronze
Information:
One of several public artworks located on Louisville's historic West Main Street, this welcoming sculpture features a life—size bronze likeness of the late Mayor of Louisville Charles Farnsley seated on an oversized bench. Commissioned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fund for the Arts which Farnsely founded, the statue was dedicated in 1999 and sits in front of the Fund for the Arts building at 623 West Main Street.
Charles Rowland Peaslee Farnsley (1907 — 1990) served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1936 to 1940, and in the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1967. Farnsley is best known, however, as having been one of Louisville's most innovative and eccentric mayors, serving from 1948 until 1953. In addition to creating the Louisville Fund, later known as the Fund for the Arts, Farnsley also expanded the library and park systems, improved city streets, and developed recreational facilities for children. A staunch defender of the Confederacy who was known for his trademark black string tie, it was nevertheless under Farnsley's time as mayor that Louisville began the process of desegregation.
The statue was created by sculptor Dawn Yates, who holds a BFA from Murray State University and worked at the Bright Foundry. Yates took Farnsley's personality into account when creating her concept for the sculpture, commenting, "I took the liberty of making [the bench] extra long, because Farnsley was a very relaxed man, and he would have invited people to sit down and talk with him." (KG)
Charles Rowland Peaslee Farnsley (1907 — 1990) served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1936 to 1940, and in the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1967. Farnsley is best known, however, as having been one of Louisville's most innovative and eccentric mayors, serving from 1948 until 1953. In addition to creating the Louisville Fund, later known as the Fund for the Arts, Farnsley also expanded the library and park systems, improved city streets, and developed recreational facilities for children. A staunch defender of the Confederacy who was known for his trademark black string tie, it was nevertheless under Farnsley's time as mayor that Louisville began the process of desegregation.
The statue was created by sculptor Dawn Yates, who holds a BFA from Murray State University and worked at the Bright Foundry. Yates took Farnsley's personality into account when creating her concept for the sculpture, commenting, "I took the liberty of making [the bench] extra long, because Farnsley was a very relaxed man, and he would have invited people to sit down and talk with him." (KG)
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Front View
Left Side View
Right Side View
Detail 1
Detail 4
Detail 8
Detail of Plaque
Front View
Left Side View
Right Side View
Detail 1
Detail 4
Detail 8
Detail of Plaque