President Bill Clinton was recently presented a sculpture created by University of Central Arkansas Professor Bryan Massey.
The sculpture, “The Jazz Player,” was given to President Clinton on Nov. 18 during a luncheon in observance of the 5th anniversary of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center.
“It is exciting to have your work presented to someone of his stature,” Massey said. “It’s a great honor.”
The bronze sculpture of a saxophonist was inspired by the sights and sounds of New Orleans. The piece will be on permanent display in the River Market sculpture garden in honor of the former president.
Officials with the center saw the sculpture at a show nearly a year ago. Massey received an email about the center’s interest in purchasing the piece two weeks before the anniversary celebration, he said.
This isn’t the first time the center has tapped Massey for his work. Five years ago, the center called on him to submit an idea to commemorate the opening of the center. Massey created “Clinton Blues,” an image of President Clinton playing a saxophone. He got the idea for the piece after seeing President Clinton perform on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1992.
Massey has taught art at UCA for 23 years. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in museums, private galleries and juried competitions.
