'Ol' Blue Eyes' Is Back in Hoboken

Artist Carolyn Palmer Embodies the Essence of Frank Sinatra in Her Latest Sculpture

By Melissa Griegel Photos by Melissa Griegel Photography

Frank Sinatra Park in Hoboken was busting at the seams on Dec. 12, 2021, as seemingly everyone was there for the unveiling of Saddle River Resident Carolyn Palmer’s sculpture of Frank Sinatra. Dawn Donaghy organized limo service for Saddle River friends to surprise Palmer with an outpouring of community support, and many residents also attended the star-studded cocktail reception at Lulu Lounge at W Hotel following the unveiling.

The packed unveiling was filled with local and national reporters and film crews, Hoboken residents, Frank Sinatra fans, local dignitaries and entertainers. Saturday Night Live alum Joe Piscopo was the perfect emcee for the event and seemed at home in Jersey with the midtown Manhattan skyline to his back. The Hoboken Police and Fire Departments had their Honor Guards in full dress standing at attention behind the podium. Famed New York Tenor Christopher Macchio led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an absolutely stunning rendition of The National Anthem with his silky voice that resonated over the park.

Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and 3rd Ward Councilman Michael Russo were on hand to welcome everyone and talk about the beautiful —and long-awaited —sculpture of Hoboken’s native son. With a Frank Sinatra Park, off Frank Sinatra Drive, with a Sinatra soccer field, a Sinatra amphitheatre, and a Blue Eyes Restaurant, Mayor Bhalla noted that, “It’s about time we dedicated a statue to our beloved Frank Sinatra.”

It was the City of Hoboken that commissioned the work from world-renowned sculptor Palmer after seeing her collection of four larger-than-life bronze busts of Popes at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Palmer is known for making her busts life-like, lively, and embodying the spirit and character of her subjects. Other famous works of hers include Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, a life-size bronze Lucille Ball statue for Lucy’s hometown park in Celeron, NY, Orville and Wilber Wright sculptures for the Sanford/Orlando Airport, and a bronze sculpture of Thomas Jefferson for the Jefferson Center in Syracuse, NY.

Frank Sinatra’s daughter Tina was involved in the process, discussing ideas with Palmer and approving designs. She was helpful in providing details to make the sculpture as accurate as possible, including letting her borrow the family crest ring Frank always wore on his pinky finger, so that it could be added to the likeness. Tina was thrilled to be part of the celebration and thanked the town and all of the sponsors for being supportive, loving her dad, and being dedicated to keeping his memory alive. With her hand on her heart, she looked heavenly as she recognized that the day of the dedication, Dec. 12, was her father’s birthday and that he would have been 106 years old. After being presented with a plaque from TV anchor Rita Crosby, Tina turned her attention back to Palmer, thanking her for capturing her dad so perfectly. “Carolyn Palmer,”she said. ”We have to do a statue of you. You are amazing!”

Sculptor Carolyn Palmer addresses the crowd at Frank Sinatra Park in Hoboken

The loud applause showed consensus from the crowd of over 1,000 people. Palmer addressed everyone and talked about what an honor it was to have this commission. The work on the sculpture began in 2019, and the pandemic gave her plenty of time to spend being immersed in all things Frank Sinatra, watching his movies and listening to his songs as she drew and sculpted. “I knew I wanted to include a lamppost in the sculpture,” she says. “Frank’s favorite color was orange —he thought it was a happy color. I put in an orange bulb that glows 24/7. You can see it on overcast days and in the evenings.”

Saddle River resident Carolyn Palmer standing next to her Frank Sinatra statue in Hoboken, is known for making her busts life-like, lively, and embodying the spirit and character of her subjects.

More than 1,000 people attended the unveiling of the Frank Sinatra statue in Hoboken.

Although Frank was known for having a cigarette in one hand and a highball glass in the other, Palmer decided to do a “healthier” version of Frank and forgo these items in favor of him leaning against the lamppost and jauntily tipping his hat. Frank is known for saying “angles are attitudes” and indeed his likeness is all about the angles with something different to see from every side. He faces out towards Hoboken with the New York City skyline as his backdrop. This is fitting as he loved New York. You can just about hear him singing “New York, New York” as you gaze at the sculpture.

The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Hoboken lent four of its talented students to perform at the ceremony, singing “Come Fly with Me” and “Fly Me to the Moon.” As a perfect ending to the ceremony, everyone stood and sang “Happy Birthday” to Frank. After the unveiling of the statue, a group of fans did a reprise raising their arms and singing to the legend.

Palmer was born in Chester, NY, and attended Burke Catholic High School in Goshen. Not encouraged to pursue the arts, she took very few art classes in high school or college. She began her higher education at Wells College and then transferred to Nazareth College after a transformative summer spent in Europe. Having the opportunity to see famous works of art at museums and galleries all over Europe was inspirational. “I was especially drawn to the French sculptors Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux and Jean-Antoine Houdon for the lifelike quality of their work,” she says. “I am a self-taught sculptor. Sculpting is apart of me; it found me. I study the person I am sculpting and try to capture the person’s essence and make it part of the sculpture.” Her greatest compliments are when someone tells them how life-like her sculptures are or how they feel the likeness is looking directly at them.

Sinatra's daughter Tina, pictured with sculptor Carolyn Palmer, provided details to make the sculpture as accurate as possible.

With her home and studio in Saddle River, Palmer is ready to tackle new projects. Check out Palmer’s work at www.palmersculptures.com.

Comedian Joe Piscopo emceed the event.