Alston statue unveiled at National Cather Center
The National Willa Cather Center in Red Cloud, Nebraska, unveiled a larger-than-life size statue of Nebraska author Willa Cather created by Creighton’s Littleton Alston, MFA, professor of fine arts, during its recent spring conference.
The bronze statue is a full-scale rendition of the statue Alston was commissioned to create for the U.S. Capitol, installed in the National Statuary Hall in June 2023, honoring the Pulitzer Prize-winning author.
“The magnitude of the work of the National Willa Cather Center draws a worldwide audience of writers, scholars and researchers to Red Cloud, while also providing wonderful opportunities for Nebraska students,” Alston said. “Having this sculpture adds some prestige to their small town. This sculpture was supposed to go to New York City.”
Ashley Olson, executive director of the Cather Center, said the statue is an incredible addition to the museum’s collection. Olson, who served as a member of Nebraska’s National Statuary Hall Collection Committee, helped select Alston from among 70 artists to create the original sculpture that appears in Statuary Hall. The subjects are chosen by the state legislature.
“One of the great joys of being part of (the) committee was getting to know Littleton Alston,” Olson said. “Littleton is an exceptional sculptor—his talent is evident in every detail of this piece. We are so grateful to him for creating a sculpture that is as dignified and enduring as Willa Cather herself.”
'Literary Star Environment'
As an educator, Alston is pleased this piece is part of the Cather Center.
“It’s a literary star environment,” he said. “People come from around the world for the annual spring conference, which this year featured Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley. The National Willa Cather Center adds so much to Nebraska, and now we are part of that legacy.”
Olson said she felt it was important to have the sculpture at the Cather Center because it will allow people who may never have the privilege of visiting the U.S. Capitol to see it. The Cather Center attracts thousands of visitors each year for tours, research and workshops.
“We felt that adding the second casting to our museum collection would make the work more accessible,” Olson said. “Bringing a reproduction to the National Willa Cather Center allows her hometown—and the thousands of visitors who come each year—to share directly in what was a moment of national pride. Additionally, it further anchors Cather’s presence here, in her own community.”
The center is owned and operated by the Willa Cather Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating the work, life and legacy of the great American writer.
