Accepting Donations For
James Earl Jones / Donald Crouch Sculpture
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Voice of James Earl Jones on Mentorship
The Arts & Culture Alliance is proud to honor
the legacy of James Earl Jones and his mentor, Donal Crouch.
To celebrate these two individuals and the power of mentorship, the ACA has commissioned life-sized sculptures of these two men in hopes 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 we ask you to help us honor not one, but two of our own!
We are hoping for individual support, corporate interest, and grants to
create this sculpture that will honor how Mentoring by Mr. Crouch allowed JEJ to find his famous Voice.