Ronald Reagan statue ready for its close-up in Newport Beach
With debates about location, partisanship and appropriateness behind them, Newport Beach city officials will dedicate a bronze statue of Ronald Reagan next weekend at Bonita Canyon Sports Park.
The City Council earlier this year agreed to commission the artwork entirely with private donations in honor of 100th anniversary of Reagan's birth.
Newport Beach artist Miriam Baker was hired to sculpt a statue that City Manager Dave Kiff has called "a remarkable likeness" of the 40th president and former California governor, according to the Daily Pilot.
"President Reagan was a transformational leader who inspired not only Americans, but freedom-loving people throughout the world," Councilman Keith Curry said in a news release. "He was a frequent visitor to Newport Beach, and I am proud that our community will join London and Budapest in recognizing the centennial of his birth with a statue honoring his role in extending freedom to millions."
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Photo: Artists work on the wax for the Ronald Reagan statue at the Legacy Arts Foundry in Santa Ana earlier this year. Credit: Times Community News
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