September 30, 2014

Sculpture Honors Indiana State Song Composer

Paul Dresser

Paul Dresser

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — A bronze sculpture honoring the composer of Indiana's state song has been installed in a city park near his Terre Haute boyhood home.

The sculpture titled "A Song for Indiana" honors Paul Dresser, whose work included his 1897 composition of "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away."

A crane lifted the 6-1/2 foot-tall sculpture and its limestone base into place Monday in Fairbanks Park. Artist Teresa Clark of Terre Haute tells the Tribune-Star that the circular sculpture's inspiration is of the Wabash River flowing into musical lines.

The surface of the sculpture includes a portrait of Dresser, along with images from the song's lyrics.

A public dedication ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 15.

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