Jennifer Carter Gray Memorial Sculpture - Simbbury, CT
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 41° 52.325 W 072° 48.209
18T E 682279 N 4637906
The Jennifer Carter Gray Memorial Sculpture is located in the courtyard of the Simsbury Public Library at 725 Hopmeadow Street.
Waymark Code: WM1158W
Location: Connecticut, United States
Date Posted: 08/18/2019
Views: 3
A bronze plaque on the base of the sculpture is dedicated to Jennifer Carter Gray. It is inscribed:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
JENNIFER CARTER GRAY
WHO LOVED LIFE AND LOVED TO READ
MAY 26, 1971 - JUNE 17, 1986
GIVEN BY
HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS, JUNE 1988
An 8' by 2' by 4' bronze sculpture of a young girl on a 1' by 2' by 2' brick base is in the courtyard of the library. The sculpture was created by Wolfgang Behl and dedicated to the memory of Jennifer Carter Gray, a 15 year old girl who lost her life when she was hit by a truck while on her bicycle. The memorial was dedicated September 25, 1988.
A stylized figure of a girl is wearing a a short dress and leaning forward while running with outstretched arms extended above her head. Her hair is swept back, her left toes touch the ground, and and her right leg is above the ground and behind her. A bird with outstretched wings touches the palm of her right hand.
According to the Smithsonian Art Inventory website (see website link) "The sculpture is not meant to be a statue of Gray, but to catch her spirit and show exuberance, youthfulness and emphasize the positive. The bird is meant to be a symbol of free spirit."