A bronze statue of Charlie Kirk spotted traveling in the back of a pickup truck through parts of Utah County last week drew attention — and speculation — across social media.
The mystery was at least partially solved Thursday during a memorial at Utah Valley University commemorating the first anniversary of Kirk’s death. There, Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk co-founded, formally unveiled the sculpture at the campus where Kirk was killed.
The statue depicts Kirk sitting on a folding chair, holding a mic, in 1.5 times life-size. It was made by Utah artist Stan Watts, who has created other political works, including President Donald Trump raising his fist after an assassination attempt, as well as civil rights icons Rosa Parks and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
But as far as where the Kirk statute may be installed? No immediate announcement was made.
A spokesperson for Turning Point USA told The Salt Lake Tribune late Thursday that she didn’t immediately know where it would end up. A UVU spokesperson separately said she was “not aware of any plans for the statue to remain on campus,” noting it wasn’t part of a university-backed memorial.
On Friday, though, the art company that Watts runs, Atlas Bronze Casting, told The Tribune in an email that the work will be taken to Turning Point USA’s headquarters in Arizona next week.
It’s not clear if it will stay there permanently; Turning Point USA already unveiled a separate Kirk sculpture there this week, depicting the conservative commentator standing and waving. That was also done by a Utah artist, Quintin McCann.
Earlier this month, UVU President Jon Anderson said no decision has been made about a formal campus memorial to Kirk, as some state lawmakers have called for.
Currently, in the campus courtyard, several large flower planters sit atop the spot of pavement where Kirk was killed.
A committee made up of students, faculty and staff continues to discuss whether to do more with that site, Anderson said, adding that the group is “not near the conclusion of that process right now.”
“They are being incredibly thoughtful about their work,” he said. “They’re looking at what other institutions have done in similar instances in their history.”
There is no rush, he added, and the hope is to be “engaging and balanced and right” in any decision.
He noted, “When we’re prepared to move forward, we will share that information.”
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Charlie Kirk sculpture unveiled at the memorial event Turning Point USA hosted at Utah Valley University in Orem on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026.

Courtney Tanner