19 years and $2 million later, final sculpture in life-like collection unveiled in Carmel
In Carmel’s downtown areas, they paint, jog and kiss.
Since the first one was purchased by the city in 2005, the J. Seward Johnson Jr. life-like statues haven’t gone unnoticed, but with a new Carmel mayor, the city likely won't be purchasing any more.
The 23 bronze-painted sculptures, the largest such collection outside of Johnson's home state of New Jersey, cost the city $2.4 million. Earlier this month, Carmel unveiled its final purchase created by the world-famous sculptor, who died in 2020.
The piece, titled “Captured,” depicts a young woman with her feet up on a bench, reading a book of poetry and photographs. Much like the other sculptures created by Johnson, “Captured” could be mistaken for a real woman.
The city purchased the sculpture for $78,000 in 2019. It was kept in storage until construction of the plaza, where it now sits, was completed and opened to the public on June 5.
All 23 sculptures, plus a yet-to-be completed sculpture from an artist at The Seward Johnson Atelier, were purchased when former longtime Mayor Jim Brainard was in office.
Brainard said he believes most people like the statues but acknowledged opinions have varied over the years. He said it’s fortunate that Carmel is a place where people’s taste in art is discussed.
“No one is ever going to win that argument,” Brainard said. “Some people like pop art, some people like glass sculptures, others are going to like traditional things and others like edgy things."
The sculpture from the Seward Johnson Atelier is expected to be completed and installed in about a year and a half and cost the city $388,000. It will depict a family of Indian descent.
Below is information on the location of each Johnson sculpture in the city and how much they cost:
First Ride
Date purchased: 5/18/2005
Cost: $95,000
Location: Monon Trail in the Arts & Design District
Description: Dad helping child on bicycle
Sidewalk Concert
Date purchased: 4/4/2006
Cost: $76,000
Location: Main Street sidewalk In The Arts & Design District
Description: Violinist
Confirming Predictions
Date purchased: 4/4/2006
Cost: $75,000
Location: Main Street sidewalk in the Arts & Design District
Description: Man seated on bench with newspaper
There, Now You Can Grow
Date purchased: 4/4/2006
Cost: $75,000
Location: Main Street sidewalk in the Arts & Design District
Description: Girl with watering can
Holding Out
Date purchased: 4/19/2006
Cost: $76,000
Location: Main Street sidewalk in the Arts & Design District
Description: Lady carrying groceries
Unconditional Surrender
Date purchased: 5/14/2008
Cost: $122,000
Location: Main Street sidewalk in the Arts & Design District
Description: Sailor kissing nurse
My World
Date purchased: 5/14/2008
Cost: $70,000
Location: City Center
Description: Child sitting and looking at book
Who's In Charge
Date purchased: 5/14/2008
Cost: $88,000
Location: Range Line Road sidewalk in the Arts & Design District
Description: Man with child on shoulders
Things To Do
Date purchased: 5/14/2008
Cost: $80,000
Location: Range Line Road sidewalk in the Arts & Design District
Description: Woman sitting on bench
The Right Light
Date purchased: 12/31/2010
Cost: $118,000
Location: Main Street sidewalk in the Arts & Design District
Description: Man at easel
Oh It's You, Welcome
Date purchased: 12/31/2010
Cost: $77,000
Location: Monon Trail in the Arts & Design District
Description: Police officer
Big Sister
Date purchased: 12/31/2010
Cost: $82,000
Location: City Center
Description: Girl helps sister tie shoe
One Man's Search
Date purchased: 12/31/2010
Cost: $78,000
Location: Main Street sidewalk in the Arts & Design District
Description: Boy in school sweater reading book
Elemental
Date purchased: 12/31/2010
Cost: $110,000
Location: Range Line Road sidewalk in the Arts & Design District
Description: Couple with umbrella
Ambassador Of The Streets
Date purchased: 12/31/2010
Cost: $78,000
Location: Main Street sidewalk in The Arts & Design District
Description: Woman walking a dog
Strolling Professor
Date purchased: 1/3/2019
Cost: $68,000
Location: Main Street
.sidewalk in The Arts & Design DistrictDescription: Man walking with book
Wine, Food and Thou
Date purchased: 1/3/2019
Cost: $68,000
Location: Main Street sidewalk in The Arts & Design District
Description: Woman with picnic basket
Monet, Our Visiting Artist
Date purchased: 1/3/2019
Cost: $75,000
Location: North side of Japanese Garden
Description: Painter at easel
Shaping Up
Date purchased: 1/3/2019
Cost: $65,000
Location: Monon Trail in The Arts & Design District
Description: Woman jogging
Captured
Date purchased: 1/3/2019
Cost: $78,000
Location: First On Main Plaza in The Arts & Design District
Description: Young woman on bench reading book
Waiting To Cross
Date purchased: 1/21/2021
Cost: $70,000
Location: Monon Trail in The Arts & Design District
Description: Young girl holding stop sign
Beautiful Riff
Date purchased: 1/27/2022
Cost: $276,000
Location: West side of Palladium
Description: Jazz trio: Trombone, trumpet, soprano sax
My Sixteen Year Old Jazz Dreams
Date purchased: 12/21/2023
Cost: $432,000
Location: West side of Palladium
Description: Jazz grouping: Drums, piano and bass
Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Final life-like sculpture unveiled in Carmel. Here's how much they cost
