James Peniston Sculpture, commissioned works in bronze

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Installation: Oct. 3, 2007

A nine-foot bust of Benjamin Franklin, commissioned by the city of Philadelphia, was installed in Girard Fountain Park at 4th and Arch Streets in the historic Old City neighborhood on October 3, 2007. See more photos of the installation in Dan Chow's Flickr set.

A flatbed trailed brings 'Keys To Community,' a nine-foot bronze bust of Ben Franklin for downtown Philadelphia

arrow up to photo The one-ton sculpture arrives at 329 Arch Street on a flatbed trailer, having made the 17-mile journey from the Laran Bronze foundry in Chester, Pa. Its bronze base is stiffened with welded steel stringers.

Workers rig the sculpture for lifting -- by its neck. 'Keys To Community,' a nine-foot bronze bust of Ben Franklin for downtown Philadelphia arrow up to photo Workers rig the sculpture for lifting -- by its neck. The surface is textured with casts of more than 1,000 keys contributed by Philly grade-schoolers. The bronze contains several brass nameplates in memory of city firefighters who gave their lives in duty, and some pennies from the old "Penny Franklin" sculpture that stood here.

Sculptor James Peniston, right, guides the sculpture into place. 'Keys To Community,' a nine-foot bronze bust of Ben Franklin for downtown Philadelphia arrow up to photo Sculptor James Peniston, right, guides the sculpture into place. Six threaded rods have been screwed into its base; they must line up perfectly with epoxy-filled holes drilled in the pedestal.

Safely seated, Ben gets a buffing. 'Keys To Community,' a nine-foot bronze bust of Ben Franklin for downtown Philadelphia arrow up to photo Safely seated, Ben gets a buffing. The sculpture will be officially unveiled and dedicated on Friday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. A First Friday reception followed that evening from 6 to 8 p.m.

Contact

Send email to: james AT jepsculpture.com
Copyright © 2000-2018 James Peniston

Work

Keys to Community, a 2007 bronze sculpture by James Peniston. Girard Fountain Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Colliding Masses, a 2001 fiberglass sculpture by James Peniston. Artist's collection, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Gregor Mendel, a 1998 bronze sculpture by James Peniston. Villanova University near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania George's Head, a 2002 bronze sculpture by James Peniston. Artist's collection, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hunter, a 2000 bronze sculpture by James Peniston. Private collection, near St. Louis, Missouri Family Discovering Nature, a 2005 bronze sculpture by James Peniston. Private collection, St. Louis, Missouri Water, a 1998 bronze sculpture by James Peniston. Private collection, St. Louis, Missouri Motivic, a 2001 clay sculpture by James Peniston. Artist's collection, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Hades & Antigone, a 2003 clay sculpture by James Peniston. Artist's collection, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania