California sculptor carves larger-than-life statue of former President Jimmy Carter

ATLANTA — The streets near the Carter Center will soon be buzzing after residents feast their eyes on a bronze sculpture of the longest-living U.S. president in history, which is three times the size of the real-life Carter.

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The larger-than-life bust, which was created by Carmel sculptor Steven Whyte, and will be installed at the Carter Center’s Presidential Library in Atlanta.

Whyte’s sculpture studio and gallery are located in Carmel, California.

He has created many other larger-than-life busts of public figures including former U.S. president Abraham Lincoln, former U.S. Rep John Conyers Jr., and civil rights icon, Rep. John Lewis.

The slightly over life size bust took about 2 weeks to sculpt, the over 3 times life size bust to about 2 months in the clay before holding and casting in bronze.

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Whyte says he celebrates Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter for their humanitarian work and created the bust as a study.

“Improving life for people around the globe by resolving conflicts, advancing democracy and human rights, preventing diseases, and building affordable housing,” Whyte said.

The sculptor depicts President Carter at the age he was during his time at the White House and celebrates both Carter and the Carter Center through the inclusion of the center’s logo on the bast of the bust.

A version of the bronze is part of the art collection of the Carter Center and is on display next to the matching bust of the First Lady at the Plains High School National Park.

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