Memorial to be Dedicated Honoring the Late Tillie K. Fowler, Former Member of Congress and Holland & Knight Attorney
Tree-Like Installation Will Represent Fowler's Life, Work
Photo by laird
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On April 20, 2009, former Member of Congress and Holland & Knight partner, Tillie K. Fowler, will be honored with a major public art memorial representative of her life and dedication to public service. The project was funded by a public/private partnership between the City of Jacksonville, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, The Haskell Company and Holland & Knight LLP.
The installation will take place on April 20, 2009, at 7 p.m. in the circular plaza on Jacksonville's new public Northbank Riverwalk.
"Holland & Knight is pleased to participate in this celebration of Tillie's life," said Steven Sonberg, managing partner for Holland & Knight. "Tillie was a tireless local and national public servant and dedicated attorney. I speak on behalf of many in saying that she continues to be missed at Holland & Knight."
"I had the privilege of working with Tillie both on the Jacksonville City Council and at Holland & Knight," said Ginny Myrick, senior policy advisor at Holland & Knight. "She was a dedicated professional business woman who knew how to balance her life with poise and tenacity. Tillie was not only a mentor of mine, but a great friend."
Rhode Island-based sculptor Brower Hatcher was commissioned by the City of Jacksonville’s Art in Public Places Committee, administered by the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, to create a piece which commemorates Fowler's life work in politics and public service. Forty-six artists from all over the country submitted proposals and Hatcher's design was unanimously chosen. Former City Council President Elaine Brown initiated the memorial. The selection committee included Elaine Brown, Fowler’s husband, Buck, Ginny Myrick and architects and community arts advocates.
"After several years of planning and reaching out to the community, it is so gratifying to see this wonderful tribute to Tillie become a reality," said Brown. "I truly believe this will bring joy and inspiration to many people as they enjoy a reflective moment and walk away from the sculpture with a smile. I think Tillie would consider this a wonderful gift to Jacksonville for all to appreciate."
The Tillie K. Fowler Memorial will be 18.5 feet tall and 16 feet wide. The semi-representational work embodies the qualities and image of Fowler's spirit as an oak tree - strong, protective of the community, concerned for all, and always reaching out. It will consist of three main components: the trunk, the truss, and the three LED-illuminated orbs. According to the artist, the orbs represent the levels of Fowler's spirit: the inner orb represents family; the second orb represents community; and the outermost orb represents her country.
Fowler served as Jacksonville’s first female City Council President from 1982-1985. She later served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives where she served on several key military committees. As Vice Chair of the Republican Conference, Fowler was the highest ranking woman in the U.S. Congress when she retired in 2000. She subsequently received both the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award and the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. After her eight-year tenure in the House of Representatives, Fowler joined the Washington, D.C., office of Holland and Knight as a partner in 2001. Fowler died unexpectedly in March 2005.
About The Art in Public Places Program: The Art in Public Places Program is administered by the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville by ordinance, through which .75% of public construction and renovation projects is dedicated to the creation of public art. For more information, contact the Cultural Council at (904) 358-3600. www.culturalcouncil.org.
About the Artist: Brower Hatcher has created over 40 public art projects throughout the U.S. and is the recipient of multiple awards including three National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships. For more information, contact Mid-Ocean Studio Inc. at (401) 274-2534. www.midoceanstudio.com.