Thinking Monumentally with Steven C. Barber

Sculpture Vulture

In this episode, host ⁠Lucy Branch⁠, introduces ⁠Steven C. Barber⁠, an American filmmaker and producer turned fundraiser for monuments in the US.

Barber has raised millions of dollars particularly championing the creation of monuments to astronauts. He shares anecdotes about his journey from documentary filmmaking to monument creator, his unique perspective on memorializing achievements, and his strategies for securing substantial donations from high-profile figures and organizations.

Barber's stories emphasize the importance of vision, persistence, and the ability to connect disparate worlds in order to achieve monumental goals.

Key Discussion Points

00:50 Vandalism and Restoration Stories

Links Mentioned in this section

⁠Robin Hood and Maid Marrion ⁠

⁠Radio Stoke and Leek War Memorial ⁠

05:50 Steve Barber's Journey into Filmmaking

10:17 Challenges and Successes in Monument Creation

21:28 Emotional Studio Visit21:56 Meeting the Sculptors

22:25 Building Apollo 11 Monument

24:15 Fundraising for Monuments

26:18 Challenges in Monument Creation

28:12 The Art of Cold Calling

33:38 The President's Monument

35:25 Reflections on Fundraising

42:02 Lucy's Roundup and Future Plans

⁠Connect with Steve C. Barber⁠

Lundeen Sculptors

⁠⁠Please support the show by joining me on Substack - it's free! ⁠

or you can buy one of my non-fiction books if you'd like help or advice with caring for bronze

⁠⁠Bronze Behaving Badly: Principles of Bronze Conservation⁠⁠

or

⁠⁠Wax On Wax Off: How To Care For Bronze Sculpture⁠⁠

This podcast is created by ⁠⁠Antique Bronze⁠⁠