Art in Public Places: Remembering Gene

In the summer of 2018, Stamford Downtown’s Art in Public Places program marked its 25th anniversary with “Timeless – The Works of Seward Johnson,” an outdoor sculpture exhibition running June through August. Thirty-six trompe-l’oeil bronze figures—35 life-size sculptures depicting everyday scenes (reading a newspaper, sharing an ice-cream cone, walking a dog) plus one monumental 26-foot “Forever Marilyn” in Latham Park—were scattered throughout Atlantic, Bedford, Broad, Main and Washington boulevards. Johnson’s signature blend of wit and hyperrealism drew crowds, inviting both locals and visitors to pause, interact, and photograph these “living” statues against Stamford’s urban backdrop.

Joining the Johnson figures was Jay Crane’s vibrant pyramid titled “Remembering Gene,” a loving tribute to Stamford native and beloved actor Gene Wilder. Each of its four painted panels revisits Wilder’s most iconic roles—from the mischievous Mad Hatter to the whimsical Willy Wonka—interwoven with colorful film stills, playful quotes, and a background collage of classic movie imagery. Installed outside the Avon Theatre, Jay’s work was auctioned by the Downtown Special Services District and ultimately gifted to the Avon Theatre, where it remains a permanent, playful homage to Wilder’s enduring legacy.