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For Immediate Release: March 27, 2007
OFFICIAL PORTRAIT OF FORMER GOVERNOR TAFT TO BE UNVEILED AT STATEHOUSE
Columbus, Ohio. – Former Governor Bob Taft’s official gubernatorial portrait was unveiled today at a ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse, the Ohio Historical Society (OHS) and the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) announced. The portrait of Ohio’s 67th governor was created by renowned Toledo artist Leslie Adams.
Hosted by former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Jo Ann Davidson, the former governor and First Lady, along with their daughter Anna, unveiled the portrait with the assistance of the artist. Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board Chairman Richard H. Finan, Ohio Historical Society Executive Director William K. Laidlaw, Jr., and former Taft Chief of Staff Jonathan Allison also participated in the program.
"This portrait will become a part of Ohio history and will hang in the Statehouse for all Ohioans to appreciate,” said Laidlaw. The Ohio Historical Society is responsible for commissioning the portrait of each departing governor. Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board have the responsibility of displaying and maintaining the portraits in the Capitol building.
The portrait, created by renowned Toledo artist, Leslie Adams, is a privately funded project that continues the tradition of paying lasting tribute to the legacies of Ohio governors. “I am deeply honored and profoundly excited to have been chosen to create the official portrait of Governor Taft for the State of Ohio. Although I have found this work to be one of the most artistically challenging of my career, I am proud both of the results of my efforts and of the great honor of contributing to my state’s legacy,” said Leslie Adams.
CSRAB Chairman Richard H. Finan said the framed portrait will hang in the William Howard Taft Hearing Room, taking its place with those of seven previous Ohio governors. The William Howard Taft Hearing Room is named in honor of Taft’s great-grandfather, former Ohio Governor and the 27th President of the United States. “We are honored to carry on the tradition of showcasing the governors of Ohio in the Capitol and telling our state’s story for generations to come,” Finan added.
NOTE TO EDITORS: DIGITAL IMAGE OF TAFT PORTRAIT AVAILABLE
A high-resolution digital image (44 MB TIF) of Leslie Adams’ portrait of former Governor Bob Taft is available from the Ohio Historical Society’s website by Clicking Here (Select "Save To Disk"). Portrait photographed by Tim Thayer.
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Media contact: Michael Ring: 614.297.2313 or mring@ohiohistory.org
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