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BESSIE & ROXEY
Over the last years, as statues were being torn down across the country, Lipski started thinking about making a classical bronze statue. The newly restored historic Long Island Railroad Station in Mineola, NY seemed the perfect opportunity. He sought historical figures who would forever stand the test of time. Tapping Mineola’s role in early aviation, Lipski chose Bessica Raiche, America’s first solo woman pilot. And she holds aloft Roxey, the LIRR dog, a mutt who wandered onto the train and, adopted by the railroad workers, ended up living on it for years. Lipski learned about Roxey from Heather Hill Worthington’s wonderful children’s book, Miles of Smiles.
Once again, Lipski relied on master sculptor Christopher Collins, who modeled the statue from Donald’s drawings. Donald’s wife, artist Terri Hyland, designed the clothing and kept watch over the details of Bessie’s face. The statue was cast by Art Castings of Colorado in Loveland, CO.
Commissioned by MTA Arts & Design and Long Island Railroad