Sunday, October 4, 2015

César E. Chávez Full Size Bronze Statue Unveiling In Milwaukee Delayed Until 2016

The Chávez bronze statue to be unveiled in 2016 to coincide with César E. Chávez Birthday in 2016.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 4, 2015

Milwaukee, WI - On Sunday, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) confirmed that the unveiling of the César E. Chávez full size bronze statue has been delayed until next year to coincide with Chávez Birthday, according Ivan Gamboa, President of the S. César E. Chávez Drive Business Improvement District BID #38. The unveiling of the Chávez bronze statue in the Southside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was projected for this October, but will most likely be moved until next Spring, Gamboa confirmed.
Gamboa, President of (BID) #38 stated, "I am looking forward to the unveiling of the Cesar Chavez statue. You are correct the committee is considering moving the date of the unveiling. More than anything we know the significance of this and we want to make sure all the details are good. If we can't make October we are considering waiting until Spring to coincide with Cesar Chavez Day.
"Source of funds are there. The fundraising was completed last Spring and the project is on budget.
"The committee just recently finalized the details of the base the statue would sit on."
The projected cost for the Chávez bronze statue was $40,000 and the statue will be finished by the artist in November.
Ian B. Bautista, the Executive Director of Clarke Square also stated, "...we have delayed the unveiling because of a delay in the completion of the sculpture. We took a little extra time, as I'm sure the community would appreciate, to assure that Chavez' face is a likeness that everyone will recognize and love. The artists are also busier this year than expected. We estimate that the sculpture will be done next month, but pending the weather, we're likely to make sure we do the unveiling on a symbolic date in the Spring. We'll keep you in the loop about developments as they occur. All of the money for the sculpture is in place - no issues there."
The Chávez bronze statue will be placed at the 900 block of S. César E. Chávez Drive in the El Rey Super Market outdoor market place. The Chávez statue project is part of a three year FARM Project to promote small business economic growth in the 12th Aldermanic District that will include a rich cultural environment for tourists, a consumer retail, food and art base attraction to the heart of the Latino community.

Milwaukee will become the 8th location in the U.S. to unveil a Chávez life size bronze statue in the country.


Other Chávez lifesize bronze statue locations are:

● University of Texas - Austin

● Phoenix, Arizona

● San Fernando, California

● Sacramento, California

● California State University - Fresno

● Riverside, California

● California State University - San Marcos

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