Arkansas Legislature Honors UA Little Rock Alumnus Kevin Kresse for Johnny Cash Sculpture

The Arkansas House of Representatives and Senate honored UA Little Rock alumnus and renowned sculptor Kevin Kresse for his work creating the statue of Arkansas music legend Johnny Cash, now on display in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

House Resolution 1081, sponsored by Rep. Tippi McCullough, was read and adopted in the House, on March 19, while Sen. Clarke Tucker introduced Senate Resolution 49. The resolutions recognized Kresse’s artistic achievements and his contribution to Arkansas’s cultural legacy.

“I was completely surprised,” Kresse said. “I’ve never been recognized or honored in this way before. Representative Tippi McCullough and Senator Clarke Tucker wrote to me to say they were sponsoring a resolution for me.”

During the proceedings, the House presented Kresse with a resolution highlighting his life and career. He then moved to the Senate chamber, where Sen. Tucker introduced him, and the Senate voted to adopt its version of the resolution.

“I was able to say a few words to the Senate members and was then presented with the Senate version of the resolution,” Kresse said. “It was a very special afternoon for me, for which I am very appreciative of Representative McCullough and Senator Tucker for giving me this honor.”

Kresse’s statue of Johnny Cash, dedicated in 2024, replaced one of the two statues representing Arkansas in the National Statuary Hall Collection. His work has been widely praised for capturing the essence of the iconic musician, cementing Kresse’s legacy in the artistic and cultural history of the state. You can learn more about the sculpture’s creation and dedication by watching the Arkansas PBS documentary, “Unveiled: Daisy Bates and Johnny Cash,” which debuted the same day Kresse was honored by the Arkansas Legislature.