The Gen. Vallejo Monument Committee, composed of Sonoma citizens, is moving ahead. After going to several organizations for recommendations, Sonoma’s Jim Callahan was commissioned to do the monument honoring the city’s founder, Gen. M. G. Vallejo.
Callahan has been honored as the Sonoma Artist Treasure of 2000 and given the key to the City of Sonoma for his contributions to the community. He is one of the founders who conceived and implemented the formation of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and is founder and managing partner of the LaHaye Art Center.
The League for Historic Preservation has given him its Award of Merit and a separate commendation for the renovation of the Center. Contained within the Center is a bronze foundry, which is the heart of Callahan’s own studio.
The body of work created by Callahan ranges from miniature to monumental.
Joining in the project to design the site plan for the monument is Michael B. Ross, founding principal of RossDrulisCusenbery Architecture, Inc. RDC is an award-winning Sonoma-based architectural firm with a broad portfolio of national and local projects.
Ross has received wide recognition for design excellence and innovation in the planning and design of public architecture, providing pro bono design services in support of a variety of community projects.
This proposal will be made to the Sonoma City Council meeting on Sept. 9.
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