August 29, 2005

Centennial sculpture dedication set for Sept. 10

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Foundation and University dignitaries will ceremonially unveil a statute commemorating Northwest’s centennial year at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. The sculpture, installed late this summer, stands in the east plaza of the J.W. Jones Student Union.

Scheduled speakers are Don Beeson, chairman of the Northwest Foundation Centennial Committee, University President Dean L. Hubbard and Student Senate President Abby Stephens.

Cast in bronze, the life-sized artwork is the creation of Georgia artist Gregory Johnson. It depicts two students – one from 1905 and from 2005 – studying on a bench.

The young man, wearing knee-high boots and a cloth cap, is shown reading a book, one page of which bears the engraved image of an early Case tractor. A stack of books bound with a book strap and topped by an apple is placed beside him.

The woman, wearing jeans, boots and a “hoodie” jacket with the word “Northwest” across the front, holds an open notebook computer. Her cell phone and backpack are close by.

Johnson, who created the statue in his studio near Atlanta, visited Northwest last year in order to meet with members of the Foundation’s Centennial Committee and inspect possible installation sites. He completed the sculpture early this spring and briefly returned to campus after the work was installed.

The artist said he realized the image was an effective symbol of Northwest’s 100-year history when a truck driver in his studio looked at a clay model and remarked that the work was obviously meant to convey many years in just a few seconds.

“That was the first thing that made me think this was an idea that anyone could drill in on and grab,” said Johnson, who is nationally known for his lifelike, public sculptures. “Sometimes artists live in a box. They may have a great idea, but nobody gets it.”

As he refined the concept, Johnson said he realized it was important for the sculpture to “tell the correct story.”

“It’s an educational tool,” he said. “It commemorates, denotes, upholds and uplifts important individuals, concepts and ideals – and all of that is very consistent with the mission of this university.”

Johnson described the sculpture as “a complicated piece” because it is viewable from any perspective and invites interaction from the public.

“For some it will be sacred ground,” he said. “For many others, they will want to sit down with the boy or the girl and have their picture taken.”

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