Five artists shortlisted for €120,000 Rackard statue
YEAR BEFORE MONUMENT IS ERECTED
THE new Nickey Rackard statue for Wexford town will carry a €120,000 price tag, but it will be over a year before it's erected in Selskar Square.
Five artists have been short-listed to construct the statue, which has already caused controversy due to its proposed location.
Twenty submissions to build the piece, which honours of one of Wexford's greatest sporting heroes, were brought before a panel, who whittled the list down to five.
These five artists must now submit their final drawings, and a 3D maquette of the statue, before October 1, 2010 when the final design will be selected.
According to Town Clerk Pat Collins, the panel, who were formed to select the successful submission, will make a recommendation to members of Wexford Borough Council who will make the final decision.
It hasn't been decided yet if the maquettes will be placed on public display before the statue is commissioned.
The cost of the statue will be €108,000 with an amount to be added for ancillary works. It's likely that the final figure for the completed statue will be in the region of €120,000. Much of the funding for the statue comes through the 'Per cent for art' scheme.
' When the sculpture has been decided on, it may well take about nine months or more to make, and another three months to put the sculpture in place on site. Therefore, it is likely to be the end of 2011 or early 2012 before the sculpture is finally in place,' said Mr. Collins this week.
Cllr. George Lawlor, who championed the cause to erect a statue in honour of Nickey Rackard during his Mayoral term, is glad that the project is proceeding.
' The selection process has been very extensive, and the local authority is keen to ensure that the statue is not only of the highest quality, but that the person commissioned is fully briefed on the importance of Nickey Rackard in Wexford's sporting heritage,' he said.
- ANNE MARIE O'CONNOR
