Vicksburg welcomes Thadius statue at Mulberry – The Vicksburg Post

Bellamare Development, the company that owns the Mulberry in downtown Vicksburg, unveiled a new abstract sculpture located at the corner of Mulberry Street and Clay Street on Tuesday.

The stainless steel sculpture, which stands 12-feet tall, is called Thadius. It was made by Jackson-based metal artist Kyle DeLong.

“I’m just really excited. This is my first public piece, a big, monumental piece, and I just really hope that it kind of springs my career from here,” DeLong said. “I put in blood, sweat, and almost tears several times. You can see from my neck that I got a bad burn from finishing this thing up.”

DeLong said in a statement that the name came from a late friend who inspired him to start his artistic journey.

Bellamare Development Asset Manager Anna Jane Stanley also spoke at the event.

“This sculpture is a testament to the commitment to intertwining art and culture while ingraining the history of Vicksburg,” she said. “We hope you enjoy this piece as much as we enjoyed designing it for you.”

Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr., Ward 2 Alderman Alex Monsour, and Ward 1 Alderman TJ Mayfield were also in attendance at the unveiling.

“This sculpture captures the movement of the river and the energy of the ever-changing sky over Vicksburg. It is a beautiful addition not just to this property, but to the city’s growing story of art, culture, and innovation,” Flaggs said. “It’s a piece like that that reminds us that we are not just honoring the past… but we are building a future right here in Vicksburg.”