The iconic 'Reclining Liberty' sculpture that has graced the front lawn of the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington for two years has officially been granted permanent status. On September 17, members of Arlington County's Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) unanimously voted 9-0 to allow the impressive 25-foot artwork, which depicts the Statue of Liberty in a reclining position, to remain permanently in front of the historic building located at 3550 Wilson Boulevard.
The striking sculpture, created by artist Zaq Landsberg, has been displayed at the site on a temporary basis since August 2023. Because the museum is situated within a designated local historic district, HALRB approval was mandatory to change the installation from temporary to permanent status. The circa-1910 former school building's historic designation required careful consideration of any modifications or additions to the property.
Interestingly, while allowing the statue to remain technically violates the established guidelines of the historic district, Arlington County's historic preservation staff supported the request. Their endorsement was based on the fact that the artwork is not physically attached to the building structure and could be relocated or removed at a future date if necessary. This flexibility helped address concerns about permanently altering the historic character of the site.
Catherine Anchin, the museum's executive director, emphasized how deeply the community has embraced the sculpture during its two-year presence in Arlington. "We've seen immense community interaction with it," Anchin told HALRB members during the hearing. "Every day, somebody is stopping and taking photos with it or of it. We've just been very pleased with how the community has embraced it." Museum officials noted that the piece has attracted visitors not only from the local area but from across the entire region and even from other states.
Andrew Wenchel Jr., a HALRB member who also serves on the board's Design Review Committee, expressed his personal support for making the installation permanent. "On a more personal basis, I've always liked it," Wenchel stated during the proceedings. His sentiment reflected the broader positive reception the artwork has received from both officials and the public.
The local Ashton Heights Civic Association also weighed in on the proposal, indicating they had no objections to the artwork remaining permanently in its current location. However, they emphasized the importance of proper maintenance, a concern that was addressed when HALRB made adequate upkeep a specific condition of their approval motion.
Before finding its home in Arlington, 'Reclining Liberty' had an interesting journey through other prominent locations. The sculpture was previously installed in Manhattan's Morningside Park and later at New Jersey's Liberty State Park, the departure point for ferries traveling to the actual Statue of Liberty. This connection adds symbolic significance to the piece's placement and meaning.
The building that now serves as the backdrop for this contemporary artwork has its own rich history spanning more than a century. Originally opened as the Clarendon School in 1910, the structure served students in grades one through six and functioned as the Clarendon community's only public elementary school for 63 consecutive years. In 1944, the school was renamed to honor Matthew Fontaine Maury, a distinguished naval officer, diplomat, and Virginia native who made significant contributions to maritime science.
The building's transformation into an arts venue began in 1977 when it became home to the Arlington Arts Center, which later evolved into the current Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. The arts organization operates under a lease agreement with Arlington County government, which owns the property. The site's historical importance was formally recognized in 1984 when it was designated as a local historic district, and its significance was further acknowledged in 1999 with its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
