Sneak preview
The arena at the Greensboro Coliseum was nearly empty for an afternoon break today at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting.
But those who stuck around got a sneak preview of the statue of the Rev. Billy Graham as it was being placed, positioned and polished for its grand presentation tonight. The statue depicts Graham next to a cross twice his size and those who wandered in watched as the top portion of the cross was connected to the rest of the bronze statue.
It was a difficult mission fraught with peril - if the top of the cross were to fall it would have also hit Graham's outstretched arm. But despite a few "slows" and "whoas" the statue was put together and polished as bystanders broke out cameras and camera phones.
"It’s always nerve-wracking to get a piece together," said Terrell O'Brien, the sculptor of the statue.
O'Brien said he was anxious for others to see it, but that will have to wait until later. A black curtain soon enveloped it and it's not scheduled to be raised until its official unveiling tonight.
UPDATE: Here is a link to the story that ran in today's paper on the Billy Graham statue.
Comments (4)
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I thought it was wrong for these people to make graven images...?
Posted on June 15, 2006 7:37 AM
This appears the Baptist approach to canonization.
Posted on June 15, 2006 7:50 AM
I can see why Grahm was not there himself! I would be ashamed of the SBC myself! And to think that they claim him and yet, he IS NOT a member of an SBC church in his HOME STATE! My understanding is that Graham does not attend an SBC church when in NC. That could have changed and I stand to be corrected.
I am glad that Graham is being honored, however, I feel that it would be better for Charlotte to do it rather than the SBC. They are known for their hypocritical, narrow-minded, and short-sighted stands. Who, in their right mind, would want to be honored by such a group?
Shalom
Posted on June 15, 2006 10:02 AM
I am a professional artist and gallery director, and I have to say, that thing is one ugly hunk oif metal. Not because Graham himself is; he has a fascinating face and carriage (more so in his old age, frankly). Ironic. I know of hundreds of sculptors who would have done much better, and still remained (as I suspect was required) very "realistic".
Posted on June 16, 2006 2:13 PM