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San Bernardino Sun (California)
June 7, 2013 Friday
Award-winning sculptor to create memorial for slain deputy
by Michel Nolan, Staff Writer
In case you haven't heard yet, San Bernardino County sheriff's
Detective Jeremiah MacKay will be memorialized in bronze as a tribute
to the hometown hero killed while protecting the mountains he loved.
Jeremiah, a native of Lake Arrowhead and a 1995 graduate of Rim High
School, died after a fiery shootout Feb. 12 with ex-L.A. cop
Christopher Dorner.
Everyone I've talked to about Jeremiah says the Redlands resident had
a big heart and a big smile.
His 8-1/2-foot likeness will be placed in a grassy area near the
shoreline in Lake Arrowhead Village.
The artist's rendering of the statue is compelling, revealing
Jeremiah's strength and gentleness.
We are fortunate that award-winning international sculptor Khachik
Khachatouryan, a recent Lake Arrowhead transplant, was inspired to
create the sculpture as a tribute to Jeremiah's bravery and character.
"I give my time. He gave his life," said Khachik, 46, a Lake Arrowhead
resident who came to the United States from Armenia in 1989.
Khachik is donating his time and talents to the project.
"It is important for me to capture his soul, his essence," Khachik
told me. "I do not want to make an empty, hollow sculpture. I want his
big heart and personality to show."
Khachik's intent is to capture Jeremiah's character as a fun-loving
human being, friend and family man. The hand over his heart represents
sacrifice that comes from the heart.
In the rendering, the outstretched hand represents giving to the
community. The dove stands for peace and life.
Khachik, first-prize winner at the Wilbur Johnson National Sculpture
Competition, has also earned first-place honors in four other
competitions around the world. His classic and modern works are on
exhibit in the Huntington Library Gardens and the Rock & Roll Hall of
fame, among other venues. He is known for his stunning
larger-than-life sculptures.
He has just started teaching an art class for kids at Rim of the World
Recreation and Park District in Rimforest, near Lake Arrowhead.
Intense and passionate about his craft, Khachik will work from his San
Bernardino studio and figures he will need to put about 360 hours into
the project.
At first, Khachik wanted to put the statue at the sheriff's Twin Peaks
station, but thought not enough people would see it. Then he decided
that maybe the San Bernardino Police Department would be a suitable
location, but there are other fallen law-enforcement heroes listed on
a monument and it wouldn't be right to have a single statue.
So Lake Arrowhead seemed the ideal location. The Village donated the
site and planning began.
A team of grateful mountain residents, including Holland Lowe, decided
to coordinate a fundraising campaign.
Operation Provider, a nonprofit that has provided food and other
assistance to struggling mountain families since 1989, is coordinating
funding of the project.
"He's one of our own and we need to take care of him," Holland said.
The Jeremiah MacKay Sculpture Memorial Fundraiser was created to raise
money for the tribute.
A sculptor's time is just one element of such a monument. There is
also the cost of material, the bronze and stone, and the forging of
the bronze. According to Holland, costs are expected to come to
$25,000.
"If you are someone who is inspired by the selfless ethic of our peace
officers and a lover of beautiful art, won't you join with us in
funding Mr. Khachatouryan's inspired vision?" Holland said.
More information is on the Facebook page,facebook.com/Mackaysculpture
, where a brief video on the project is available.
Information is also available by calling 800-531-9371 for a
fundraising team member, or Operation Provider at 909-337-8585.
Information about Khachatouryan is atkhachatouryan.com .
"I want the sculpture to be there so Jeremiah's kids can see what kind
of dad they had," Khachik said. "It's a personal thing for me. I'm
doing this with all my heart and want to create a strong, meaningful
sculpture."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
June 7, 2013 Friday
Award-winning sculptor to create memorial for slain deputy
by Michel Nolan, Staff Writer
In case you haven't heard yet, San Bernardino County sheriff's
Detective Jeremiah MacKay will be memorialized in bronze as a tribute
to the hometown hero killed while protecting the mountains he loved.
Jeremiah, a native of Lake Arrowhead and a 1995 graduate of Rim High
School, died after a fiery shootout Feb. 12 with ex-L.A. cop
Christopher Dorner.
Everyone I've talked to about Jeremiah says the Redlands resident had
a big heart and a big smile.
His 8-1/2-foot likeness will be placed in a grassy area near the
shoreline in Lake Arrowhead Village.
The artist's rendering of the statue is compelling, revealing
Jeremiah's strength and gentleness.
We are fortunate that award-winning international sculptor Khachik
Khachatouryan, a recent Lake Arrowhead transplant, was inspired to
create the sculpture as a tribute to Jeremiah's bravery and character.
"I give my time. He gave his life," said Khachik, 46, a Lake Arrowhead
resident who came to the United States from Armenia in 1989.
Khachik is donating his time and talents to the project.
"It is important for me to capture his soul, his essence," Khachik
told me. "I do not want to make an empty, hollow sculpture. I want his
big heart and personality to show."
Khachik's intent is to capture Jeremiah's character as a fun-loving
human being, friend and family man. The hand over his heart represents
sacrifice that comes from the heart.
In the rendering, the outstretched hand represents giving to the
community. The dove stands for peace and life.
Khachik, first-prize winner at the Wilbur Johnson National Sculpture
Competition, has also earned first-place honors in four other
competitions around the world. His classic and modern works are on
exhibit in the Huntington Library Gardens and the Rock & Roll Hall of
fame, among other venues. He is known for his stunning
larger-than-life sculptures.
He has just started teaching an art class for kids at Rim of the World
Recreation and Park District in Rimforest, near Lake Arrowhead.
Intense and passionate about his craft, Khachik will work from his San
Bernardino studio and figures he will need to put about 360 hours into
the project.
At first, Khachik wanted to put the statue at the sheriff's Twin Peaks
station, but thought not enough people would see it. Then he decided
that maybe the San Bernardino Police Department would be a suitable
location, but there are other fallen law-enforcement heroes listed on
a monument and it wouldn't be right to have a single statue.
So Lake Arrowhead seemed the ideal location. The Village donated the
site and planning began.
A team of grateful mountain residents, including Holland Lowe, decided
to coordinate a fundraising campaign.
Operation Provider, a nonprofit that has provided food and other
assistance to struggling mountain families since 1989, is coordinating
funding of the project.
"He's one of our own and we need to take care of him," Holland said.
The Jeremiah MacKay Sculpture Memorial Fundraiser was created to raise
money for the tribute.
A sculptor's time is just one element of such a monument. There is
also the cost of material, the bronze and stone, and the forging of
the bronze. According to Holland, costs are expected to come to
$25,000.
"If you are someone who is inspired by the selfless ethic of our peace
officers and a lover of beautiful art, won't you join with us in
funding Mr. Khachatouryan's inspired vision?" Holland said.
More information is on the Facebook page,facebook.com/Mackaysculpture
, where a brief video on the project is available.
Information is also available by calling 800-531-9371 for a
fundraising team member, or Operation Provider at 909-337-8585.
Information about Khachatouryan is atkhachatouryan.com .
"I want the sculpture to be there so Jeremiah's kids can see what kind
of dad they had," Khachik said. "It's a personal thing for me. I'm
doing this with all my heart and want to create a strong, meaningful
sculpture."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress