Ida Kay Jordan’s former desk at the Pilot immortalized in First Amendment sculpture – Virginian-Pilot

When the group Support Portsmouth Public Art asked Sue Landerman to make a First Amendment sculpture, she knew exactly what it should look like: Virginian-Pilot columnist Ida Kay Jordan's old desk.

The metal and stone sculpture, "Our First Freedom," will be installed on a pillar on the landing in front of the Portsmouth Public Library on Court Street. The artwork will be unveiled on March 22.

"We chose the site in front of the library also as a symbol; much in the way as the lady of justice is blindfolded in front of a courthouse," said Dr. John Joyce, president of the public art group's board. "There would be no library, no books or newspapers, without this amendment. We also believe that freedom of artistic expression ... originates from this same freedom."

Support Portsmouth Public Art uses grants and donations to commission art throughout the city. Barbara Vincent, the group's secretary, said the funds for Landerman's statue came from a Portsmouth Museum and Fine Arts Commission grant and a donation provided by Friends of the Portsmouth Public Library.

"If we didn't have people contributing to the arts for our city, we wouldn't be able to do this," Vincent said.

Landerman, a local artist, did a lot of research before she started the sculpture. She read the Constitution and a letter that George Washington wrote to Congressabout the first amendment.

"Of course, my creativity wheels started spinning," she said.

She pictured longtime friend Jordan's desk. When she was a reporter at a Pilot bureau in Portsmouth, Landerman said, her desk was in the corner and had a typewriter and big stacks of newspapers. That's what the artist wanted to replicate.

"Ida Kay, she's like legendary in Portsmouth," Landerman said.

The sculpture, which is 45 inches tall and just under 4 feet wide, took several months to complete. Landerman enlisted Newport Newssculptor Jon Ware to help construct the desk.

The finished work also features a typewriter, Washington's letter and a stack of papers topped by an issue of Currents,in which Jordan has a recurring column.

"I feel very, very honored," Jordan said, although she was abit embarrassed to have her desk immortalized.

"Oh my goodness, I hope it's not realistic because I'm a mess; a typical old-fashioned reporter."

Landerman said it's the perfect time to honor the First Amendment.

"(It) has certainly been challenged more lately," Vincent said. "We hope that this sculpture will make people think about the value of (the First Amendment) because it's certainly what separates us from other societies."

And the artwork itself beautifies the city, she said.

"Public art has many functions. It creates conversation, it inspires imagination, it can make a city a destination."

Landerman wants this piece of art to inspire action.

"I hope that (viewers) go home, go online, Google the Constitution and read it," she said. "And share it with your children and grandchildren. They'll never forget it."

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Ida Kay Jordan's former desk at the Pilot immortalized in First Amendment sculpture - Virginian-Pilot