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Eugene
Kesey Memorial Dedication |
The Ken Kesey Memorial statue, The Storyteller, is located in the plaza at the corner of Willamette and Broadway streets in Eugene, Oregon.
The unveiling dedication ceremony was conducted by photographer Brian Lanker with comments and a reading of the Ken Kesey children's story Tricker by Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey followed by comments from Congressman Peter DeFazio. Peter Helzer spoke about creating the work thanking the Foundry Crew who tirelessly helped Peter create the work and who are pictured below.
Contributions are still gratefully accepted. If you wish to contribute a tax deductible donation to the Ken Kesey Memorial Statue Fund... mail your contribution to: Kesey - Lane Arts Council Click HERE to read about the Kesey Symposium the following day.
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Created by Ken's personal friend Peter Helzer (shown at right), the bronze statue depicts Ken reading to his grandchildren, Kate, Caleb and Jordan. The statue is designed so people can also sit on the bench. Peter Helzer proclaimed at the unveiling service that if you sit between Ken and the grandchildren, you too will hear him reading. Ken's son Zane prankfully poses on the left below and Mountain Girl examines the work with Peter. 
An interesting fact Peter pointed out is that there is a chess piece sculpted into the bottom of Caleb's right shoe. Peter is Caleb's wrestling coach and now Peter coaches Caleb in chess. Caleb is the champion in his age group, 10-11, for the states of Washington and Oregon!
