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Jim Henson Statue and Memorial Garden FAQ |
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Jim Henson Statue and Memorial Garden FAQ |
01) How did the Jim Henson Statue and Memorial Garden come about?
02) Where is it on campus?
03) Tell me about the dedication ceremony and coverage.
04) Are there any other on-campus events going on?
05) What about off-campus events?
06) What movies were shown at AFI?
07) I want to to contact the AFI, whom should I call?
08) What more can you tell me about the Henson exhibit at the Hornbake Library?
09) Is there anything else significant about September 24th?
10) How was Jay Hall Carpenter chosen as the sculptor?
11) How does the Carpenter design differ from the original concept for the statue?
12) I need more information about Jay Hall Carpenter.
13) When was the statue cast?
14) What's the contact information for the New Arts Foundry?
15) How much will the sculpture weigh when it's finished?
16) I want to talk with Jane Henson. How do I contact her?
17) Has Mrs. Henson said anything about the statue?
18) I heard that there is a documentary being prepared about the statue.
19) How should we courtesy the photographs on this site?
20) Tell me more about those 1957 pictures of Jim and Jane.
21) Contact info for non-media interested in using pictures from Maryland or the Henson Company.
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THE MUPPET MOVIE
THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER
THE DARK CRYSTAL
THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN
LABYRINTH
THE WITCHES
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Joan Kirby
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New Arts Foundry
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Arthur Novell
Please note that Mrs. Henson is available to do print and radio interviews only.
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In the July 8, 2003 edition of the The Diamondback, she said that:
Contact Information:
Visual Edge Productions, LLC
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SamFriends.Jpg
SamFriends2.Jpg
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Debbie McClellan
For the Baltimore News American photos (whose archives are at Maryland) you'll need to contact:
The Hearst Corporation
Note that there is at least a two week turn-around for approval under most circumstances.
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Q - How did the Jim Henson Statue and Memorial Garden come about?
A - Every year, the graduating classes at Maryland decide on a class gift. The class of
1998, through its Senior Council, decided they would donate a statue of Jim Henson (with Kermit) to honor his
contributions to the university and the world. The class of 1999 gave funds to provide for a memorial garden where the statue could be placed and enjoyed. The class of 1994 also donated funds toward the $217,000 project.
Q - Where is the statue located?
A - The statue is in a memorial garden designed by landscape architect Philip Cho on the grounds of the
Adele Stamp Student Union at Campus Drive and Union Lane.
Q - Tell me about the dedication ceremony and coverage.
A - The dedication ceremony took place at 11:00 am on September 24th at the Stamp Student Union.
NBC's Williard Scott - who worked with Jim Henson - was the Master of Ceremonies. A giant Kermit inflatable also made an appearance.
Some 400 people attended the event including many students and fans from across the U.S. There was wonderful media coverage as well including CNN, local TV stations, the AP, Washington Post, Washington Times, WMAL radio and many others.
Q - Any other campus events?
A - You bet! Campus Drive was renamed on the 24th to Sesame Street as was done in 1997 for the Muppets
Take Maryland celebration. Other events included a VIP luncheon, Muppet movie fest on the 22nd and 23rd at the
university's Hoff Theater, and a halftime show by the University of Maryland Marching Band at the September 20 Terp football game vs. West Virginia; an exhibit at the Hornbake Library closed December 19, 2003.
Q - What about off-campus events?
A - The American Film Institue's (AFI) Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring held a wonderful tribute to Jim Henson and his legacy on September 25th. There was also a month-long movie festival. The AFI described its plans this way::
To coincide with the unveiling of the new statue of Henson at his alma mater, the University of Maryland, the AFI Silver will be showing six of his films at weekend family matinees (from September 20 through October 25), displaying his artistry in the lobby showcases, and presenting (on September 25) an evening of some of his finest television work—all in collaboration with The Jim Henson Legacy. The program will include THE MUPPET SHOW and examples of Henson’s early television work here in the Washington area, including "Sam and Friends."
Jane Henson, Harry Belafonte, and other Henson friends and collaborators will be at AFI Silver to discuss the significance of his enormous output, and share their recollections of the master.
Q -What movies were shown at the AFI?
A - HENSON FAMILY MATINEES
As the University of Maryland honors Jim Henson, the AFI Silver proudly showcases some highlights from his distinguished film career—as writer, director, producer, Muppeteer and voice actor—featuring works both within and beyond the familiar Muppet oeuvre. Specially priced for the family at $5.50 per ticket.
[Sat, Sep 20, 12:00]
[Sat, Sep 27, 12:00]
[Sat, Oct 4, 12:00]
[Sat, Oct 11, 12:00]
[Sat, Oct 18, 12:00]
[Sat, Oct 25, 12:00]
Q - If I want to contact someone for more information at the AFI, whom should I call?
A - You can call:
Press and PR Manager
AFI Silver Theatre
(301) 495-6747
Q - What more can you tell me about the Henson exhibit at the Hornbake Library?
A - The exhibit was displayed in the Maryland Room Gallery and was titled "Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles."
Exhibit Pics
Q - Is there anything else significant about September 24th?
A - We're glad you asked. It's also Jim Henson's birthday! He was born in 1936, so on September 24, 2003 Jim Henson would have been 67 years old. His birthday was celebrated at the dedication with cupcakes topped with green icing.
Q - How was Jay Hall Carpenter chosen as the sculptor?
A - The university held a national competition. In December of 2000, a committee made up of university
representatives, the class of 1998 and the Henson family chose the Carpenter design from three finalists. Jim's widow,
Jane Henson, said of Carpenter at the time "His grasp of Jim’s work and spirit makes him the ideal artist to create
this statue of Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog."
Q - How does the Carpenter design differ from the original concept for the statue?
A - Originally, the design called for Kermit resting on Jim Henson's knee. Carpenter's vision was to
have Jim Henson sitting on a bench looking at his most famous creation sitting on top of the bench
and looking back. As Carpenter said upon his selection, "This sculpture will capture the personality
of both Jim Henson and his created partner Kermit." He added, "Their whimsy and humor will be
conveyed through the depiction of their light-hearted interaction."
Q - Where can I find out more information about Jay Hall Carpenter or set up an interview?
A - Jay Hall Carpenter can be reached by telephone at (301)-330-1612 or by email at jhcsculptor@aol.com to set up interviews. His website is www.jayhallcarpenter.com . Listen to an interview done with Carpenter on September 10, talking about his vision for the statue.
Q - When was the statue cast?
A - The statue was cast at the New Arts Foundry (called one of the finest arts foundries on the east coast.) in Baltimore the week of July 14, 2003 and is now being finished. Kermit was attached to the Henson statue on Tuesday, September 9.
Along with the pictures, there's a video as well.
The statue was installed at its new campus home on September 18.
Q - What's the contact information for the New Arts Foundry?
A - You'll need to contact the foundry directly. The contact person is Gary Siegel.
PO Box 4795
1401 Clipper Heights Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410)-243-2200
(410)-243-1465
Q - How much does the sculpture weigh?
A -Foundry officials estimate it weighs around 450 lbs. The red marble seat the statue is attached to weighs approximately 2000 pounds.
Q - I want to talk with Jane Henson. How do I contact her?
A - The best way to contact Mrs. Henson is through her publicist, Arthur Novell. Here's his contact information:
(212)-687-1765
arthurn@markhamnovell.com
Q - What did Mrs. Henson say at the dedication ceremony?
A - She thanked the university and sculptor Jay Hall Carpenter while praising her late husband for his contributions to "mid 20th century culture" adding "what a great birthday present."
"This is a wonderful honor for Jim. It was at the University of Maryland that Jim explored his interest in the fine and performing arts that would later bring him worldwide recognition and success. Jim never lost sight of that and was forever grateful to his fellow classmates and instructors who encouraged him in his work."
Q - I heard that there is a documentary about the statue.
A - The Henson family commissioned a wonderful documentary called "Jim Henson: Creator of Dreams". It was shot and produced by videographer "Gonzo" (Gonzalo) Accame. Johnny Holiday did the narration. The video is (c) The Jim Henson Company.
10516 Summit Ave.
Suite 202
Kensington, MD 20895
(301)-493-8515 Office
(301)-493-0543 Fax
(301)-526-0321 Cell
Q - How should we courtesy the photographs on this site?
A - Anything with Jim Henson's likeness (except the Baltimore News American pictures ) on it should include " (c) The Jim Henson Company." The pictures from Jim and Jane's student days in 1957 that were published in the Baltimore News American will need a courtesy for the Hearst Corporation, who is the rights holder. That paper's archives reside at Maryland.
Q - I love those pictures of Jim and Jane from 1957 when they were first getting started with the Muppets. What more can you tell me about them?
A - The two photos we currently offer under the "Need Photos?" section were taken by photographer John Stadler for the Baltimore News American (which ceased publication in 1986). Here are the captions for the two photos:
Published January 22, 1957
"Students Jim Henson and Jane Nebel with Sam (left) and his Friends, who have paid their creator's way through college."
Published March 24, 1957
"Jim and Jane, who met in Art class at the University of Maryland, with some of their muppets, whose sophisticated humor and satire have become favorites with College Park Students and Professors. The muppets pantomine phonograph records."
Q- OK, I'm not a member of the media but I would like to use a Henson and/or Muppet picture for a production or publication I'm involved with. Whom do I contact?
A- For all photos except those from The Baltimore News American
VP - Worldwide Corporate Public Relations
The Jim Henson Company
Email: DMcclellan@Henson.com
Legal Department
959 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Contact: Marge Murphy
(212)-649-2179
(212)-649-2054 (fax)
This FAQ was last updated 7/28/04; 5/5/06 and 8/28/08