and Quay Avenue in Artesia, to witness the long awaited unveiling of ‘The Foundation’. Fighting back tears of emotion, Prendergast said, “We are fortunate in Artesia to have, as Dr. Seuss would say, ‘someone like you’.
Also pictured are from left, Artesia Public Library Supervisor Laura Simon, “The Foundation” design artist Mark Ashley, and in the bucket at top, waiting to unveil the statue is PVT employee Travis Alcorn. (Teresa Lemon – Daily Press)
Friends and families gathered Friday night to attend the dedication of Artesia’s newest bronze statue-The Foundation.
“The name, The Foundation, was chosen because we see books as the foundation of knowledge and learning upon which people can build a lifetime of experiences.. As you travel around it, you will notice that it has no front or back, no beginning or end. That’s because knowledge and learning are never ending”, said Mark Ashley. Ashley, a member of the Artesia MainStreet design committee served as the design artist for the monumental bronze statue, and spoke of the meaning of the statue during the dedication.
The ceremony also included a special thank you to the countless volunteers, and special thank you to donors, and two great performances from The Grunch, A New Children’s Musical by the Ocotillo Story Tellers. Laura Simon, the Artesia Public Library Supervisor spoke about the importance of reading and learning, and the effect is has on children as they grow.
As the crowd counted down, a PVT bucket truck, operated by Travis Alcorn, removed the covering of the statue- revealing the five stacks of 15 books in total, with children posed on top of the books reading. The bronze, which weighs 16,0000 pounds, is a beautiful addition to the roundabout and perfectly complements the library it sits in front of. This project was a collaborative effort between many different entities- and is a wonderful tribute to what working together can accomplish.
There are 5 plaques positioned near the roundabout, each with a special meaning.
Artesia MainStreet invites you to take the time and read each one! As one of the plaques display, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr. Seuss.
Donors include:
Novel Level
Ward Investments, The Chase Family, PY Foundation, HollyFrontier Corporation, Artesia Library Foundation, Sproles Woodard LLP and Artesia General Hospital
Cover Level
Mark and Teresa Ashley, J.S. Ward and Son, In memory of: Frank Yates, Sr., Martin Yates, III (Bitsy) and Lillie M. Yates, Mary Ann Berliner and Pearl Carr, Joel and Robin Miller, Yates Petroleum Corporation
Table of Contents Level
AHS Class of 1964, Standard Oil Field Supply, Terry and Donna Maupin, Eric D. and Annette L. Mullins, In honor of James and Wanda Maupin, In memory of George K. Lynch by the Lynch Family Trust
Chapter Level
Artesia Arts Council, Ethan Ashley, Seth Ashley, Johnny and Rose Mary Knorr, Norbert and Susie McCaw, In memory of our beloved son Nicholas L Richardson, Mom and Dad
Index Level
Bart Hanson, In honor of Paul G Pablo White, In memory of Johnny and Wanda Ezell, Morgan Atkins, Connor Atkins, Carter Atkins, Lucas Atkins, For all our Grandkids – Deb and Phil Troost, Elizabeth Stephens Joe and Sue Pemberton, In memory of Mayor Manuel Madrid and Linda Madrid, Jarren Wadkins and Hayden Wadkins, In memory of Mary Ann Bjerstedt, Eddie Guy in memory of Mary Jo Guy, In memory of Roxie Jackson, Madison and Reghan Lanning, Jackson and Harper Lanning, In memory of Effe Wingfield and Meryl Story Tatman, Shirley C Childress, Ayden Huffman and Tinsey Polk, Jerry and Nancy Terpening, Tim and Pat Kunkel, In loving memory of Jean Coll Williams Boling, from her daughters, Janet and Jana, In loving memory of Kathleen (Katie) Coll, from her granddaughters, Janet and Jana, Carl and Jo Barnes
Appendix Level
Nancy & Cheyenne Dunn, In memory of Jesus, Maria J Estrada by Stel, Jeane Estrada Family, In memory of Ray and Rita Amo, In loving memory of Richard D Williams, from his nieces, Janet and Jana
