JAMES EARL JONES
SCULPTURE
PROJECT
Our Final Report
Manistee celebrates mentorship with statues of James Earl Jones and his teacher
Interlochen Public Radio | By Tyler Thompson
Published October 17, 2023 at 8:10 PM EDT
Information on the entire JEJ project below
DEDICATION OCTOBER 14TH, 2023
$105,000 raised of our $110,000 Goal
Still Accepting Donations
THE DEDICATION PROGRAM
The Arts & Culture Alliance
is proud to honor the legacy of James Earl Jones
and his mentor, Donald Crouch
Voice of James Earl Jones on Mentorship
Listen
To celebrate these two individuals and the power of mentorship, the ACA commissioned life-sized sculptures of these two men to be installed in front of the Kaleva-Norman-Dickson School in Brethren where James Earl
attended and Donald taught.
Many are not aware that James was uncomfortable speaking, due to a severe stutter, when he started attending the Brethren schoolhouse in 1945. During his schooling, James submitted a poetry entry,
“Ode to a Winter Grapefruit,” to Mr. Crouch, his English teacher. James’ entry was chosen to be recited
in front of the class. While practicing the poem’s delivery, James discovered memorization allowed him to speak without a stutter. Since then, he’s credited Mr. Crouch’s mentorship for helping him “find his voice.”
With this project the Arts & Cultural Alliance ask for community support to help honor not one, but two of our own!
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With individual support, corporate interest, and grants the sculptures have become a reality. They are proudly displayed in front of the Kaleva-Norman-Dickson School in Brethren representing two great men and that "Mentorships can be life changing".
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Dedication of sculptures in the press - Click Here
JAMES EARL JONES/DONALD CROUCH SCULPTURE PROJECT
MENTORSHIP WALL
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Thank You to everyone who has joined with us for this project.
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