In the workshop of Lundeen Sculpture in Loveland, Colorado, master craftsmen are bringing to life what promises to become one of the most significant monuments of our era. Steven C. Barber, the 64-year-old filmmaker-turned-monument creator who has earned the title “America’s Monument Maker,” is leading an inspiring effort to create a lasting memorial for Charlie Kirk, the influential conservative leader whose life was tragically cut short at Utah Valley University on September 10.
The project represents both a personal mission and a powerful statement about American values for Barber, who had known Kirk for over a decade and shared his vision for celebrating American exceptionalism. Now, Barber channels his grief into creating a tribute that will ensure Charlie Kirk’s message and impact endure for generations.
“This monument will stand alongside the Lincoln Memorial, the Iwo Jima monument, and the Washington Monument as a testament to courage and conviction,” Barber explained in a recent interview from his Santa Monica office, his voice carrying the confidence of someone who has successfully transformed ambitious visions into bronze realities. Given Barber’s proven track record of placing monuments at America’s most prestigious institutions, his vision carries substantial weight.
Barber’s evolution into monument creation began in Hollywood, where his Vanilla Fire Productions collaborated with acclaimed actors like Kelsey Grammer, Ed Harris, and John Savage on documentaries celebrating American heroes. The company, founded in 2006, built its reputation on military history films including “Return to Tarawa” and “Unbeaten.” Around 2015, Barber discovered what he recognized as an even more impactful medium for honoring American achievement: permanent bronze memorials that would inspire visitors for centuries to come.
His transformation from filmmaker to monument visionary began with celebrating space exploration. Partnering with the renowned Lundeen brothers—George, a full Academician at the National Academy of Design, and Mark—along with master sculptor Joey Bainer, Barber has successfully created and placed monuments that now inspire millions of visitors annually. The Apollo 11 monument at Kennedy Space Center, made possible by a $750,000 donation from Rocket Mortgage, captures Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins in a magnificent seven-foot bronze tableau. The Apollo 13 monument at Space Center Houston, financed by The Grainger Foundation, celebrates American ingenuity and perseverance in the face of crisis.
“Steven has an extraordinary gift for identifying moments that define American greatness,” says George Lundeen, whose Colorado studio has created works for the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. “He understands how bronze can capture not just a moment, but a movement.”
Most recently, Barber garnered national attention with his “Defiance” monument at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach—a seven-foot, 680-pound bronze capturing President Trump’s triumphant fist pump after surviving an assassination attempt. Funded by generous contributions of over $300,000, it demonstrated Barber’s ability to create monuments that resonate with contemporary American history.
While Charlie Kirk’s death on September 10 was an immense tragedy, the monument emerging from this loss celebrates a life of purpose and achievement. Kirk, who built Turning Point USA into one of the nation’s most influential youth organizations, had been addressing over 3,000 enthusiastic students about the importance of free speech and American values when his life was cut short. The outpouring of grief and support from millions of Americans has only strengthened the resolve to ensure his legacy endures.
President Trump’s announcement that Kirk would receive a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom, coupled with Vice President JD Vance personally escorting Kirk’s body home aboard Air Force Two, demonstrated the profound impact Kirk had on American political discourse. For Barber, who had been planning future collaborations with Kirk on monuments celebrating American exceptionalism, the project has become a mission to ensure Kirk’s vision continues to inspire.
“Charlie and I shared a dream of creating monuments that would remind Americans of their exceptional heritage,” Barber reflects. “This monument will ensure his voice continues to inspire young Americans for generations to come.”
Barber is working closely with the White House on plans for an official unveiling of the Kirk monument on the executive mansion grounds, with details expected to be announced soon. Additionally, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna is championing efforts to place a Kirk monument in the U.S. Capitol, with strong support from Speaker Mike Johnson’s office and congressional leadership, who recognize Kirk’s historic impact on American youth engagement.
The monument design itself promises to capture Kirk’s dynamic spirit and unwavering commitment to American principles. The Lundeen team is developing concepts that will showcase Kirk in his element—engaging with young people, defending free speech, and championing the values that made him a hero to millions.
The Charlie Kirk monument arrives at a moment when America needs symbols of unity and shared purpose. Rather than division, the memorial offers an opportunity for Americans to come together in defending free speech, celebrating civic engagement, and honoring those who dedicate their lives to these principles.
Barber envisions multiple castings of the monument—one for the White House, another for the Capitol, and inclusion in the highly anticipated Presidential Monument Garden in South Dakota’s Black Hills, a project being developed with President Trump for unveiling in the next 12 to 18 months. Each location will allow millions of Americans to connect with Kirk’s message and legacy.
The funding for the Kirk monument has attracted remarkable support from across the conservative movement and beyond. Major donors, recognizing the importance of preserving Charlie Kirk’s legacy, have stepped forward with generous commitments. Corporate sponsors who supported Barber’s previous projects—including those from the aerospace and technology sectors—are expressing strong interest in participating in this historic project.
The Lundeen studio’s involvement ensures the monument will meet the highest artistic standards. Their workshop in Loveland has produced monuments that grace the nation’s most sacred spaces, and they approach the Kirk commission with both artistic excellence and deep respect for its significance.
“We’re honored to be part of preserving Charlie Kirk’s legacy,” Mark Lundeen explains. “Our goal is to create something that captures his energy, his passion, and his love for America in a way that will inspire viewers for centuries.”
With strong support from the White House, Congress, and private donors, the Kirk monument is progressing rapidly from concept to reality. Barber’s proven track record of navigating complex approval processes and his established relationships with key decision-makers position the project for success. The timeline for unveiling—within the year—reflects both the urgency of the mission and the efficiency of Barber’s experienced team.
Concurrent with the Kirk monument, Barber continues his work on other significant projects, including a Jimmy Carter monument for the Naval Academy in Annapolis and additional pieces for the Trump presidential complex. This portfolio of projects reinforces Barber’s position as America’s preeminent monument visionary.
As the Lundeen sculptors transform clay models into bronze reality, the Kirk monument is becoming more than a memorial—it’s emerging as a symbol of resilience, dedication, and the enduring power of American ideals. The monument will serve as a gathering place for young Americans seeking inspiration, a teaching tool for future generations, and a permanent reminder of what one dedicated individual can achieve.
“Monuments don’t just preserve the past,” Barber observes with conviction. “They inspire the future. Charlie Kirk inspired millions during his lifetime, and through this monument, he’ll continue inspiring millions more for centuries to come.”
The collaboration between Barber’s vision, the Lundeen brothers’ artistry, and the overwhelming support from Americans across the nation ensures that Charlie Kirk’s legacy will stand tall in bronze—a permanent tribute to a life dedicated to American excellence and the power of principled leadership.
For those who knew and admired Charlie Kirk, the monument represents not an ending but a continuation—ensuring that his message of American greatness, individual liberty, and youth empowerment remains a vital part of our national conversation. In transforming tragedy into triumph through art, Steven Barber and his team are creating something truly extraordinary: a monument that doesn’t just remember the past but points the way toward a brighter American future.
