Alumnus Creates In-Depth Documentary on Churchill Statue and Its Sculptor

Alumnus Steve Stinson, ’73 ΣΑΕ, of Roanoke, VA, is an artist and documentarian who created Franta & Winston, a new film on Czech-British sculptor Franta Belsky and his creation of the Winston Churchill statue — an icon on Westminster’s campus for five decades.

Stinson’s in-depth, 35-minute film premiered at 3 p.m. CST on March 5, 2021, as part of virtual programming for the 75th Anniversary of Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech.

Drawing from the archives of America’s National Churchill Museum, the Henry Moore Institute in the United Kingdom, and Belsky family records, the documentary includes fascinating background details on the beloved Churchill statue and features unique interviews with the famous sculptor.

The sculpture was temporarily removed in June 2020 to undergo a conservation and cleaning, but Winston will return to his post later this year.

“Franta and Winston includes newly digitized commentary from the Museum’s archive by the sculptor, who clearly admired his subject,” said Timothy Riley, the Sandra L. and Monroe E. Trout Director and Chief Curator of America’s National Churchill Museum. “For Belsky, the Churchill project was a passion and deeply personal. He considered this bronze one of his greatest works. It is hard to disagree with that assessment.”

Take some time to enjoy Franta & Winston as well as other programs from the 75th anniversary of Churchill’s iconic address.