Sculptor Jon Hair has been selected to create bronze busts of James Sidney Hinton and Julia Carson for the Indiana State House permanent historic sculpture collection. James Sidney Hinton (1834-1892) was the first African American elected to the Indiana General Assembly (1880). Julia Carson (1938-2007) had a long career of public service, which culminated in her tenure as a U.S. Congresswoman for Indiana (1997-2007).

“I very much admire these two individuals who accomplished so much. It is an honor for me to capture their likenesses, which I hope will inspire people to make their own contributions to Indiana history,” said Hair in accepting the commissions.

Among his body of work, Hair has fulfilled commissions for several of the historically black colleges and universities, including Livingston College, North Carolina A&T State University, and Fayetteville State University.  He also has created life sized bronzes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. Hair has completed many other major public art commissions since he began his career as a sculptor in 2000, including “The Boilermaker ” at Purdue University and the “Olympic Strength” monument at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Jon Hair Studio of Fine Art is located in Cornelius, N.C.; Hair’s website documents his extensive body of work.

The Indiana General Assembly has mandated a black history display in the Indiana State House. The Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA) and its partners, with the concurrence of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, determined that this public art legacy project should be created and installed in the Indiana State House.

The Indiana Arts Commission, the Indiana Historical Bureau, and the IDOA coordinated the artist selection process.

Hair was selected from 19 artists who competed for the commissions.

For additional information about the project, please visit the following websites:

Indiana Historical Bureau: display specifications and research; Indiana Arts Commission: description of project.