Statue Honoring Former Vienna Mayor To Be Unveiled

VIENNA, VA—Vienna's "Taking Flight" statue will be unveiled this weekend in honor of late Mayor Jane Seeman and local volunteers.

The bronze statue is the town's inaugural piece of public art and will be revealed at a public ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 in front of the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE.). Standing more than seven feet tall, it features a boy and girl playing atop a stack of books.

It comes from thousands of miles away but is close to the hearts of Vienna residents. Texas artists Seth and Missy Vandable created the $39,000 “Taking Flight” statue with funding through private donations. The statue was commissioned in memory of Seeman, who served as mayor for 14 years and died in 2014.

Vice Mayor Linda Colbert, Seeman's daughter, says her mother would be humbled to be honored, along with other community volunteers, with a piece of public art.

“Mom loved seeing people out and about and gathering. She loved to see the community gather, and a piece of art does that – it attracts people to it. She would be so excited and delighted to see Vienna’s first piece of public art," Colbert said in a statement.

The Town Council approved the statue in late 2015. It is the first permanent project undertaken by the Town’s Public Art Commission. The public art commission, which was formed about 18 months ago, grew out of the Mayor M. Jane Seeman Memorial Committee, which was established in March 2014.

The statue is traveling from Cedar Hill, Texas and will be installed outside the Vienna Community Center Friday.

Image via Town of Vienna