Rye Country Day School’s Monument

Building a monument is always an odyssey of creativity and perseverance. For Paul, the spark of inspiration began in 1987, when Mary Louise Reid, a visionary and member of Rye Country Day School's Board of Directors, asked Paul if he would create a monument celebrating the school’s sports team, the Wildcats.

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The project was finally greenlit in June 1989, and Paul accepted the challenging commission with unwavering enthusiasm. He proposed a bold vision: a bronze sculpture of a mother wildcat protecting her cubs, symbolizing the school's nurturing spirit. The school's committee loved it, but the path ahead was full of logistical hurdles. 

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Throughout the next year, Paul pushed ahead. In his small studio, he crafted  the wax model measuring 6 feet long, 4 feet high and a little over 2 feet wide. His measurements had to be precise so it could be carried around a narrow corner and out the front door. Paul said “It was like building a boat in the basement!"  He also wrestled with foundry delays, and even a granite base that arrived too short. But he never wavered. Finally, in September 1990, the monument was unveiled.

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The response was overwhelming. Headmaster Pierson wrote to Paul, "You have done a magnificent job...this community is truly pleased and should be. Please accept our hearty gratitude."  Paul was thrilled, knowing his art had touched hearts and would inspire generations to come. And it has.