Percy-L: Literary, Religious, Scientific, and Philosophical Discussion of Walker Percy

["Henry P. Mills" <wppdirector AT gmail.com>]

Dear Percy-L:

Percyphiles will enjoy reading about and viewing photos of the now second statute of Walker Percy installed in Covington, La.  

This one, located in the city's Bogue Falaya River Park, follows an earlier statue installed at the St. Tammany Library, Madisonville Branch (photo at https://www.ibiblio.org/wpercy/memorials/).

Below are two articles from NOLA.com and WGNO.com providing interesting details about the origin and design of the second statue. One can only wonder what one Percy statue would say to the other if side by side...perhaps the beginnings of yet another compelling self-interview such as "Questions they never asked me so he asked them himself" as published in Esquire. It would be an interesting conversation, no doubt!

Enjoy and best wishes,

Henry Mills

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NEWS WITH A TWIST

Get to know one of Covington’s favorite sons: author Walker Percy 

(includes closeup photo)

by: Stephanie Oswald 

https://wgno.com/news-with-a-twist/get-to-know-one-of-covingtons-favorite-sons-author-walker-percy/

Posted: Sep 26, 2018 / 01:27 PM CDT / Updated: Sep 26, 2018 / 01:27 PM CDT

COVINGTON, La. – He’s one of Covington’s most famous residents, and  in the world of books, especially philosophical fiction, Walker Percy is a super star. Many of his novels are set in and around New Orleans, and he won the National Book Award for Fiction in 1962, for “The Moviegoer.”

“People come here and they want to know: where was his house and were is he buried? There’s a definite interest for the people who loved his books,” says Lisa Condrey Ward, the co-owner of the Southern Hotel, and creator of the Covington Public Art Fund.

Ms. Condrey Ward has done a lot to promote Walker Percy-related tourism in Covington. One of her hotel’s spacious and well-appointed suites is named for the author, and, at the hotel bar, every Wednesday is “Walker Percy Wednesday,” based on a quote from the award-winning writer.  (Percy is credited with saying, “Home is where the heart is, but it’s no place to be on a Wednesday afternoon.”) During these special happy hours there are Bourbon specials; apparently Percy enjoyed them during his forty-plus years in Covington.

“Covington has always been known as an artist’s community. We have a long history, for whatever reason, of artists living here or coming here to do their work,” says Condrey Ward.

The CPAF’s first commission was unveiled in August, and it also honors Percy: a bronze masterpiece near the entrance to Bogue Falaya Park. It took less than two years for the group to raise $60,000 to make it happen. There’s another piece of art in the works that also honors Percy: a bust that will be placed in the public library once its renovation is complete.

Finally, if you’d like to pay your respects at the final resting place for this literary genius, head to St. Joseph Abbey. He and his wife are buried there, and the visitor center can help you find the spot. You might want to call ahead to be sure someone will be on hand to guide you.

Percy’s novels speak to the struggle of mankind in the modern world, but you won’t struggle to find markers to celebrate his life when you journey to Covington.

(c) WGNO.com

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Covington to erect Walker Percy monument at city park

Kim Chatelain, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune 

http://www.nola.com/northshore/index.ssf/2017/08/as_monuments_come_down_covingt.html

Published Aug 16, 2017 at 11:12 PM | Updated Jul 22, 2019 at 1:21 PM

COVINGTON, La. – As cities and states around the country move to take down divisive Confederate monuments following the clashes at Saturday's rally in Charlottesville, Va., the Covington City Council Tuesday night (Aug. 15) agreed to erect a statue designed to bring people together. The council voted unanimously to place a bronze statue of novelist Walker Percy in Bogue Falaya Park.

The 9-foot sculpture entitled "Walker Percy Gateway" pays homage to the prize-winning writer who lived in Covington from 1948 until his death in 1990. It depicts Percy leaning in a doorway, a metaphoric gateway into the author's world.

The statue is the work of Covington sculptor Bill Binnings, who was commissioned by the Committee for the Covington Public Art Fund. It will be erected this fall in the center of the park's circular drive near the front of the pavilion, Mayor Mike Cooper said.

The City Council Tuesday night approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to accept the statue on behalf of the city and to place it in the park. Because of donations of time and staffing from local companies, the city will bear no cost associated with the transportation or installation of the statue, which has an estimated value of $60,000.

"The city is happy to accept this donation," Cooper said. "Walker Percy was one of Covington's most prominent citizens."

(c) NOLA.com

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Full-size photo (photographer unknown)