One of America’s foremost colonial artists was honored by a statue unveiled yesterday at a ceremony in Copley Square, the only square in America named after an artist.

The statue of John Singleton Copley, who was a Boston resident, was donated to the City of Boston by the Friends of Copley Square. The unveiling kicked off a week of city-wide events to honor Copley.

A colonial drum-and-bagpipe corps entertained the public before the official ceremony got underway. The event formally began at 2 p.m. with the tolling of the bells at the Old South Church in Copley Square.

Donald Kissel, chairman of the Friends of Copley Square, welcomed guests and explained why the Friends of Copley Square chose five years ago to erect a statue in this location.

“The purpose of public art is to educate, to inspire, to create a sense of awe and pride in the viewer and I am told Copley Square is the only square in America that is named after an artist,” said Kissel. “The Friends of Copley Square, knowing this, decided five years ago to get serious about [incorporating art into the plaza].”

Stella Trafford, vice president of the Friends of Copley Square, thanked those involved with the project, including sculptor Lewis Cohen. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino followed Trafford and praised the Friends’ effort.

“This is truly another great step in [the Copley Square improvement project],” he said. Menino pointed out how the square is currently undergoing a project to re-route traffic, making the plaza more pedestrian-friendly.

“Someday we will have the greatest plaza in the world. I love plazas and the open space. They are what make Boston a unique city,” he said.

Menino then unveiled the bronze statue of Copley and turned the podium over to the statue’s creator, Lewis Cohen, who spoke on the pride associated with replicating such a famous figure.

“I am profoundly grateful and honored to have been given this opportunity to make the sculpture of John Singleton Copley. I have felt a deep sense of purpose and responsibility,” said Cohen.

However, Cohen’s success didn’t come at an easy price, he said.

“From the onset, I have been keenly aware of the responsibility of placing a sculpture, a personal vision, into a public space,” he said. “At times I have been overwhelmed by the daunting demands and enormity of this project and what it means. At many junctures I struggled to avoid having the sheer power and importance of Copley overpower and intimidate my own vision. The historical and aesthetic restraints have been demanding. The genre of historical personage sculpture does not afford great latitude for interpretation and one is obliged to faithfully represent as one should the period with accuracy and fidelity.”

The statue is located to the left of Trinity Church in Copley Square.