Freedom Sculpture

08/13/2026

🐘💦 In honor of International Elephant Day, Zenos Frudakis describes the process of researching and sculpting the Boy and Elephant sculpture. ❤️🐘

Elephant Fountain by Sculptor Zenos Frudakis. Video footage by Prod...

08/08/2026

Due to demolition happening near Poe House & Museum, the 9th Annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards found a new home–for now.

07/25/2026

🐘💦 For nearly 30 years, Petal was more than a sculpture—she was a beloved landmark.

If you grew up near Burlington, New Jersey, chances are you remember meeting beneath Petal at the Burlington Center Mall. Thousands of children tossed pennies into her fountain, climbed onto the ledge for photos, and marveled at the playful, 11-foot-tall elephant. She quietly witnessed decades of family outings, first dates, holiday shopping, and childhood memories.

Petal was commissioned by Stockton Strawbridge, of the Strawbridge & Clothier retail family, after returning from a trip to Africa. Wanting children to experience the same sense of wonder he had felt, he commissioned sculptor Zenos Frudakis to create the fountain. Petal made her debut at the Burlington Center Mall in the summer of 1982.

The life-size elephant playfully sprays water over a young boy riding on her back. The sculpture was inspired by Petal, the beloved elephant who lived at the Philadelphia Zoo from 1957 until 2008.

Although the mall is gone, the memories remain. For many, Petal wasn't just public art—she was part of growing up. ❤️🐘

More about Petal sculpture> https://www.zenosfrudakis.com/sculpture/elephant-fountain

07/16/2026

It was an honor to sculpt All-Stars Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt who threw the opening ceremonial pitch in this year's All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park.

07/16/2026

07/16/2026

Tonight’s ceremonial first pitches will be thrown by a pair of Phillies legends, Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton.

Receiving the pitches will be two other Phillies greats, Hall of Famer Scott Rolen and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels.

07/11/2026

https://dc.citycast.fm/news/thomas-paine-memorial-national-mall?fbclid=IwY2xjawS_q9tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeyNoj8WA_epNAFtxdqQwcHG7EoUryOdfXbSevXDfiuLuiwwavZ-SlggyHz24_aem_CNXn-P2INpLDWsl3tV94ig

The Common Sense 250 Act would build a Thomas Paine memorial on the Mall.

07/09/2026

Raskin, Spartz Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Advancing National Memorial to Thomas Paine

Monumental Memorial Created by Internationally Recognized
Sculptor Zenos Frudakis

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and Victoria Spartz (IN-05) have introduced bipartisan legislation directing the U.S. Department of the Interior to locate the forthcoming Thomas Paine Memorial in Area 1 of the National Mall—the prestigious area reserved for memorials honoring individuals and events of the highest national significance.

Introduced on July 6, 2026, the Common Sense 250 Act would require Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to designate a site in the central section of the National Mall between the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. Area 1 encompasses many of the nation's most iconic landmarks, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Tidal Basin, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and the World War II Memorial.

The memorial will feature a monumental bronze sculpture of Paine by internationally recognized American sculptor Zenos Frudakis.

“This legislation is an important step toward giving Thomas Paine the place he has long deserved in our nation's memory,” said Frudakis. “Despite his profound influence on the achievement of American independence, Paine remains one of our most underrecognized Founding Fathers. It is an extraordinary honor to create this memorial.”

Thomas Paine is best known as the author of Common Sense (1776), the influential pamphlet that helped galvanize public support for American independence. His advocacy for democratic self-government, individual liberty, human rights, and the application of reason continues to influence democratic societies around the world.

Frudakis added, “I have devoted more than seven years to developing the sculpture, and I will be thrilled to see it find its home in Washington, D.C. Paine gave voice to ideas that transformed American independence from an aspiration into an inevitability. I hope this memorial inspires visitors to rediscover one of America's most influential founders and the enduring principles of liberty, reason, and democratic self-government that continue to shape our nation today.”

The Thomas Paine Memorial is being funded entirely through private contributions from supporters of Paine's legacy.

07/06/2026

Sculptor Zenos Frudakis discusses Benjamin Franklin—his character, ...