Statue of Billie Holiday facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Billie Holiday |
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The statue in April 2018
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| Artist | James Earl Reid |
| Year | 1985 |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | Billie Holiday |
| Location | Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| 39°18′04.3″N 76°37′55.3″W / 39.301194°N 76.632028°W | |
A statue honoring the famous singer Billie Holiday stands in Baltimore, Maryland. You can find it at Billie Holiday Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, in the Upton neighborhood. This special statue celebrates her life and legacy.
Contents
Creating the Statue
Plans to create a memorial for Billie Holiday in Baltimore started way back in 1971. People wanted to honor her with a statue. This statue was also part of a bigger plan to improve the area around Upton.
The Artist's Vision
The sculptor James Earl Reid was chosen to design the statue in 1977. He worked hard to create a fitting tribute. Billie Holiday grew up in Baltimore, and she even performed at the Royal Theatre, which used to be near where the statue stands today.
Unveiling and Design
The statue was officially revealed in 1985. It cost about $113,000 to create. The statue of Billie Holiday is quite tall, standing at 8 feet 6 inches (about 2.6 meters). She is shown wearing a beautiful strapless evening gown. You can also see her signature gardenia flowers in her braided hair.
Adding the Panels
The statue was fully completed in 2009. This was when special bronze relief panels were added. These panels show important moments from the African-American struggle for civil rights.
Why the Panels Were Added Later
When the statue was first unveiled in 1985, these panels were not included. They were considered too sensitive at the time. However, in 2007, more money was approved to create them. The statue was rededicated in 2009 with a new base made of granite and the added panels. James Earl Reid, the sculptor, said that Billie Holiday "gave such a rich credibility to the experiences of black people and the black artist."
What the Panels Show
One of the panels shows a child, which connects to the lyrics of Holiday's song "God Bless the Child". Another panel refers to her powerful song "Strange Fruit". This song spoke out against unfair treatment and violence. A third panel shows a crow eating a gardenia. This is a reference to the Jim Crow laws, which were unfair laws that treated African Americans differently. This image is placed behind Holiday's figure, above the sculptor's signature.
