UPDATE: Lexington’s newest monument: 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment

UPDATE POSTED at 2 p.m. AUG. 6, 2020

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The “Breaking the Bronze Ceiling” statues have arrived in Lexington. Five figures of suffragists are now standing on the corner of Vine and Mill streets.

A project that took a few years to complete, only took a few hours to install.

“Well I ran to the corner and i started crying,” crying tears of joy said Kathy Plomin, the co-chair of Breaking the Bronze Ceiling effort which took three years to put together.

“We decided on a project that’s very unique. Very few cities across the country are doing this,” Plomin said.

Two trucks arrived around 7 a.m. Thursday from Arizona with five statues.

The metal figures stand more than 20 feet tall and light up.

They were created by an Arizona artist, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote.

“I think it’ll tell a nice story for young women and girls and boys, that women have accomplished a lot in the past hundred years. we may not be there yet but we’re going to get there,” Plomin said.

Lexington leaders say there will be a small celebration for the statues on Aug. 18, the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.

ORIGINAL STORY LAST UPDATE 11:55 A.M. AUG. 6, 2020

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)- A statue honoring the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote is in place in downtown Lexington.

The “Breaking the Bronze Ceiling Statue” has been erected on the corner of Vine and Mill streets. Work started early Thursday morning hen the statute arrived via truck from Arizona. Crews finished the work just before noon.

It features five figures of Suffragists that are made of metal, light up, and stand about 20 feet tall.

The statue by Arizona artist Barbara Grygutis commemorates the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote.

The city says there will be a celebration of the statues on Aug. 18, the 100th anniversary of the amendments passage.

The city raised money from private donations and other sources, including a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to the Blue Grass Community Foundation to help fund the Breaking the Bronze Ceiling Monument.

“Community support for this initiative has been tremendous and has made the realization of this monument possible as we seek to deepen people’s understanding of Central Kentucky women’s contributions to history. It is a remarkable collective history of extraordinary achievements,” Lexington Councilmember Jennifer Mossotti, chair of Breaking the Bronze Ceiling, said previously.

“Women’s representation in public art has been virtually non-existent,” Mossotti continued.  “This work helps change that dynamic while honoring noteworthy local women and hopefully inspiring future generations. We are grateful for Congressman Barr’s ongoing support.”

Lexington city officials announced the project last November, including the selection of Barbara Grygutis to design and produce the monument.

Grygutis has been commissioned to create over 75 large-scale works of public art throughout North America, and is recognized internationally for her sculptural environments.

“I wanted to convey a sense of the time but also do this in a contemporary medium,” said Grygutis.

Grygutis said five figures form the line and sit on 6-inch granite pedestal to elevate it above the planter.

The site for the monument is on the Lexington Financial Center Plaza. Dudley Webb and Webb companies made the site available which will overlook the Town Branch Commons Trail.