Sculptor Sterett-Gittings Kelsey will be bringing the Freedom Angel Foundation concept to Danbury Fair Mall and then across the country.
Kelsey began the initiative as a way to raise money for returning military veterans and their families.
“There”™s a big difference between monuments and memorials,” Kelsey said. “Memorials have their place, but cost millions of dollars to create and don”™t give a cent back. Our Freedom Angel is a monument and we hope it gives back for years to come.”
Based in Roxbury, The Freedom Angel Foundation will unveil the first Freedom Angel sculpture at the Danbury Fair Mall on Memorial Day. The Freedom Angel will be on view until June 12 to raise awareness of the many challenges facing returning U.S. veterans. It will then travel to other retail sites throughout the country.
Kelsey is regarded as one of America”™s best sculptors whose bronze masterworks can be found in more than 300 public and private collections. She is especially noted for her dancing figures.
The angel will be delivered to the Danbury mall unfinished. Kelsey will work on it in the mall”™s common area through the summer. When finished, the clay sculpture will be cast in bronze by the Polich Tallix Foundry in Newburgh, N.Y., and head out on its road trip across the country. The specific locations are still being planned by the foundation, which has community and military leaders on its board of directors.
“We”™re going to be focusing on malls and community centers because we”™d like to touch as many people as possible and build the angel”™s recognition as an icon for our servicemen and women,” Kelsey said.
“The intent is for this to become a national symbol representing recognition of the sacrifices which our men and women in uniform have so generously made on our behalf,” Kelsey said.
“We hope to create enough awareness that we can then approach businesses and allow them to use the angel symbol as a way to donate. The idea is to have the symbol of the angel on a soup can and allow everyone who buys everyday products to be able to give to our men and women in uniform.”
For more information visit freedomangelfoundation.org.
