“Pescados #III” by Mike Sohikian is found south of the Snyder Memorial Building.
Mike Sohikian’s steel “Pescados #III,” Todd Kime’s 300-pound steel “Pulse,” and Pamela Reithmeier’s steel “Thought” are three of the nine new pieces installed for the eighth annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition.
Numerous entries were submitted for consideration to the Midwest Sculpture Initiative. The UT Campus Beautification Committee reviewed the submissions and selected the works that were installed earlier this month.
“This is the seventh consecutive year that the Campus Beautification Committee has sponsored the sculpture exhibition,” said Dr. Steven LeBlanc, executive associate dean of academic affairs in the College of Engineering and chair of the Campus Beautification Committee. “Nearly 70 pieces have rotated through the campus display over the years. Twelve of the pieces that were brought to campus as part of the rotating exhibit have ended up as part of our permanent artwork collection, either through purchase by campus benefactors, colleges or departments.
“We are very proud of the history of this exhibition and are pleased to focus our efforts on the continuing beautification of the UT campuses for the benefit of students, staff, faculty and prospective students alike.”
Other new pieces in this year’s exhibit:
• “Ensemble 1” and “Runway,” two welded corten steel figures that stand 13 feet tall by John Merigian, are in the mall area north of the Snyder Memorial Building.
• “Steel Inverted Arch” by Ken Thompson is east of the Student Recreation Center.
“Pulse” by Todd Kime is located east of Dowling Hall.
• “The Quest,” a 400-pound steel piece by Robert Garcia, can be found north of Ottawa House East and West.
• “Hope Eternal,” a cast polyester resin figure by Marie Davis, is located south of the Student Union and east of Carlson Library.
• “Refuge,” a 1,000-pound steel and cast bronze work by Nicholas Sikma, is located east of the Health and Human Services Building.
All artists received a stipend for their sculptures, which will be on display for the next year.
LeBlanc said the Campus Beautification Committee funds the exhibition through private donations.
“The motto of the committee is ‘The beauty of the campus is our gift to the future,’” he said.
Those who enjoy the artwork are asked to consider a donation to the Campus Beautification Fund through the UT Foundation.
