Chris Cornell is to be honoured with a statue in Seattle

Chris Cornell will be honoured as one of Seattle’s great artists, with a memorial statue to be erected in the city next year.

Cornell is buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in L.A., so the statue would be a sound reminder of Cornell’s connection to the city where he was born.

Sculptor Wayne Toth will handle the design, which has been commissioned by Cornell’s wife, Vicky.

“He has already given me a design and the children and I love it,” Vicky Cornell told the Seattle Times. “He is Seattle’s son, and we will be bringing him home and honoring him, I hope, with all of you, your love and support.”

Vicky Cornell has also donated $100,000 to launch a Chris Cornell Music Therapy Program for underprivileged, abused, or addicted children.

“Chris was always interested in protecting traumatised children who had suffered physical or psychological abuse,” Vicky Cornell said of launching the non-profit. “He always felt music was a way to heal even neurological and emotional conditions.

“His promise was to help the most vulnerable children. My vow now is to keep his promise, and what better way to honor Chris and his hometown than by creating a music program to help these babies heal.”

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.