Wimberley looks for 9/11 artist

WIMBERLEY, Texas (KXAN) - The city of Wimberley wants to solve an 11-year-old mystery, and pay a debt of gratitude.

Shortly after the attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, Bill Breedlove received a phone call.

"Well, he just said, 'My name is so-and-so and I'm a sculptor and I'd like to put a sculpture in the Wimberley Cemetery,'" said Breedlove, president of the Wimberley Cemetery Association.

He agreed, but told the caller there were some steps that needed to be taken first. But before that could happen, a replica of the towers and a face carved out of stone was placed at rthe cemetery's entrance.

The artist left no name or contact information -- just a handful of unanswered questions.

"I did not get the guy's name, which really eats me up right now," said Breedlove.

The sculpture became the talk of the town, and a way for Wimberley to never forget the attacks.

"They just wanted to do something to express their own feelings," said Carmen Polhemus, secretary at the cemetery. "As well as give the community something to remember it by, to stop by and think about it."

Do you know the artist?

• If you have any information on who the artist is, you can contact Bill Breedlove at 512-847-2047 or Carmen Polhmeus at 512-847-2321.

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Now, on the 11th anniversary of 9/11 people like Wimberley resident Michael Buse spent time at the memorial -- a sight that has become as familiar as the landmark itself.

"I've actually pulled over a couple times and noticed it when it was first built and it's a beautiful monument," said Buse. "It's special to me and everyone that lives here."

But now cemetery officials are trying to contact the sculptor, to make a slight change.

"Right now, we are trying to find out who did it and how we can get in touch with him, " said Breedlove, who added that the town has no interest in revealing the artist's name against his or her wishes. "So we can put it inside the cemetery where it will be a little more protected."

For the city of Wimberley it's protection so they never forget the moment that changed the nation, and art that has a greater meaning for those who live in the small town.

"We have many talented people here in Wimberley and we have many good souls and good hearts," said Polhemus. "I think that just shows that the art of giving is still there."