SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 ISSUE
A Permanent Place to Pick
Doc Watson Sculpture Planned for Downtown Boone
Sculptor Alex Hallmark recently completed a head study of legendary folk musician Doc Watson for a bronze statue to be installed in downtown Boone. The head study has yet to be approved by the Watson family. Photos by Patrick Pitzer 
Before becoming an international folk music icon, adored by generations who have fallen in love with his guitar picking, deep singing voice and genuine on-stage presence, Deep Gap native Doc Watson spent many days performing for tips at storefronts in Boone and other nearby towns.
As a tribute to the living legend, the Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA) is raising money for the installation of a life-sized bronze statue of Watson in downtown Boone. The statue, to be created by noted sculptor Alex Hallmark, will feature the musician seated on a bench playing his favorite Gallagher guitar.
“He’s our most famous son,” said Mast General Store President John Cooper, who along with DBDA Executive Director Mary Baker initiated the project as part of the DBDA’s public art program. “Since he got his start on the streets of downtown Boone, it’s very appropriate to have a statue of him downtown.”
The sculpture will be located on the northeast corner of the intersection of King and Depot streets, in front of the law office of di Santi, Watson, Capua and Wilson. Cooper said Watson’s figure would likely be seated on the left side of the bench, with enough room for visitors to sit beside the statue and be photographed.
Watson, known for his modesty and humility, wasn’t too keen on the idea at first. But he eventually agreed to the project on one condition: that a plaque on the statute read “Doc Watson—just one of the people.”
“He is a wonderful, kind person. He’s done so many benefit concerts to benefit the community,” Cooper said. “It’s a great thing for Boone [and] a nice tribute to Doc.”
Cooper, who is serving as chair of the project, said the project needs to raise between $35,000 and $40,000 to pay for the sculpture’s installation, a bench, insurance, upkeep, commemorative bricks for donors and the artist’s fee.
“I think [Hallmark] gave us a very good price for his work,” Cooper said.
Any donations to the project are tax-deductible, Cooper said, as the DBDA is a nonprofit organization. All donors will receive an artist-signed certificate. For gifts of $100 or more, donors’ names will be emblazoned on bricks placed around the statue. Up to 20 donors giving $1,500 or more will receive a limited edition life-sized bust identical to the permanent statute.
Thus far, more than $12,000 has been donated or pledged to the project, Cooper said.
“We’ve had good response,” he added.
Hallmark, who has a studio in Blowing Rock, has permanent installations in Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and in Maryland. He created a World War II Memorial and a life-sized statue of Sen. Sam Ervin in Morganton.
Hallmark photographed Watson at his home about two months ago and recently completed a head study, which has yet to be approved by the family. Hallmark said it would take a month to complete the sculpture and then an additional two to four months at a bronze-casting foundry before it would be ready for installation.
“It’s a long process,” Hallmark said. “The processing of bronze is an amazing skill. It takes great artisans and magnificent work.”
For more information or to contribute to the project, contact Cooper at 828-963-6511 or Baker at 828-262-4532.
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