LOCAL NEWS
Provo sculptor to unveil latest creation at Little League World Series this week
Aug 17, 2022, 11:34 AM | Updated: 12:12 pm
PROVO, Utah — For the first time, a team from Utah is in the Little League World Series. We’ve been reporting on the team from Santa Clara making it to Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The tournament will also feature a Utah sculptor who will be unveiling quite a statue.
Matt Glenn, who owns Big Statues in Provo, Utah, has made statues for the Little League World Series and Williamsport since 2014. But this year, with a Utah team in it, it means a lot more to him.
“The thing that people notice the most are the flaws.”
Which is why Matt said he takes his time with every sculpture he creates.
“Yeah, it’s important to make sure you’re getting all the anatomy and everything correct,” he said.
He’s done pieces that are displayed all around the world.
“This piece is going to Canada.”
But his latest sculpture — we can only show a drawing because the final work is a surprise — just might be one of his most rewarding pieces.
A Provo sculptor will be unveiling a statue at the Little League World Series this Sunday. We can show you the drawing of it but not the actual statue because the final piece is a surprise. It's even more special this year with a Utah team playing. @KSL5TV at 6. #ksltv pic.twitter.com/GOV0csbO3h
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) August 16, 2022
“A ton of pressure, yeah, because we had to work with President Bush’s Chief of Staff,” Glenn said.
It’s of President Bush and baseball legends Cy Young and Jackie Robinson and will be unveiled during this year’s Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, because all three were involved in the Little League World Series.
“It’s surreal when I think about it, and the fun thing is I’m a big baseball fan,” Glenn said.
In fact, Glenn has done 17 sculptures for the Little League World Series through the years out of his Provo shop, but part of what makes this year so special is that it’s the first time a Utah team will be there.
“Congratulations to that team from Santa Clara. We’re excited to be able to go back and watch them play. And prayers are out to Easton. Hoping he’s going to have a speedy recovery, and we’re rooting for him and his team.”
Easton Oliverson, who plays on the Utah team, fractured his skull after falling out of his bunk bed in Pennsylvania Monday.
He’s become a rallying point for the team, fans, and even a sculptor who normally tries to stay neutral.
“I think it’s OK to cheer for Utah. Yeah, absolutely,” Glenn said laughing.