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Jim Brothers is the sculptor of Culpeper's 'Homage'
"They gave it all"
By Anita L. Sherman
Culpeper Times Staff Writer
If you study the man and then study the statue that he is commissioned to create, you will see clearly why artist Jim Brothers is the quintessential choice to sculpt 'Homage.' A nationally recognized sculptor whose work is perhaps best known at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, Brothers was in town Friday to attend a fund raiser at the Museum of Culpeper History.
"I thought Kansas was friendly, but I am really liking Culpeper," said Brothers who was staying at a local bed and breakfast and frequenting several of the businesses on Davis Street.
"From an early age, all I wanted to do was draw," said Brothers who would scribble down portraits of people as he talked with them. As a college student at the University of Kansas, Brothers majored in commercial art but found sitting at desks tedious. An avid biker and collector of old cars, he dabbled as a mechanic and also did some social work but it was his foray into sculpting that has brought him the most pleasure and has occupied more than two decades of his life.
A student of history, Brothers does extensive research for his works not only for accuracy but for spirit. "I've made a lot of friends over the years," said Brothers, "I've talked to a lot of soldiers...they trust me to do what I do best?tell their stories and them in art."
Brothers considers himself a liberal when it comes to politics or decisions sending young men and women to war. While he may not always be for the war, his heart is with the warriors and what they have done through history and what they are doing today.
Study Homage. Look at his face. See the lowered, sad eyes. Note the faint down turned edges of his mouth. He is paying respect to a fallen brother, a fellow soldier on the field. It is very moving, very emotional and a fitting tribute for Culpeper's veterans of World War II and the Korean War.
Brothers believes that he has been given a talent and it is his journey in life to use it well. "I can't do what they've done, but I can channel their energy and spirit into legacies that will outlive me," said Brothers. "Hopefully they will be around for years to come and people will see them and remember."
When fully erected, the bronze statue will stand nearly 8 feet tall. Even now, the two-foot model is haunting. The more you study it, the more you are invited to stand next to this soldier and to pay homage for all that he and countless others have endured.
Ways to help
Honor local heroes of World War II and the Korean War
Your donations are needed to create and maintain a monument in Culpeper to honor those who died in World War II and the Korean War. The bronze statue will be erected in the Wine Street Memorial Park. It is the hope of the Veterans Recognition Committee that raising the required funds will be completed by the end of this year so that construction can begin on the statue itself which will take about 8 months to complete. It is planned to stand roughly 8 ft. tall and will be placed on a granite base. So far, nearly $50,000 has been raised. $85,000 is needed for sculptor Jim Brothers to begin work.
Join in the campaign to raise Homage so that it can be in place and dedicated by Veterans Day 2010.
Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Tax ID number is 54-6001234. Various contribution levels are available which will earn you the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel or General of the Army depending on your generosity.
Make your check payable to the Town of Culpeper and annotate 'For Wine Street Monument' in the memo section of the check. Mail to Veterans Recognition Committee, c/o Department of Planning and Community Development, 400 South Main Street, Suite 301, Culpeper, Virginia 22701.
Phone committee chairman Keith Price for any information or how to learn about various contribution levels. He can be reached at (540) 825-3424 or on his cell at (540) 729-5255 or by email at keithprice@hotmail.com
"We cannot do enough for them, they have given us their lives."
Jim Brothers
Sculptor of Homage
Homage logo: Created by artist Walter Burton, who also did the logo for the Town's 250th. Celebration, it will appear on all future publicity as a reminder of what the Veterans Committee and the Town of Culpeper is hoping to achieve in the near future. As a constant reminder, it will be placed in the masthead of the Culpeper Times noting how much money has been raised until the $85,000 is reached so that Jim Brothers can begin work. Let's make this happen.
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