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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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Sculpture planned to adorn campus plaza

Kevin Oleksy
Artist David Alan Clark submitted photos of a clay mock up to the CSC committee as part of his proposal for the project. Though the above picture depicts the models in clay, the final work will be cast in bronze. — Courtesy photo
Artist David Alan Clark submitted photos of a clay mock up to the CSC committee as part of his proposal for the project. Though the above picture depicts the models in clay, the final work will be cast in bronze. — Courtesy photo

A $60,000 bronze sculpture is planned as the next step in a spate of building renovations and beautification efforts that have been changing and updating Chadron State’s campus.

The college commissioned Wyoming-based artist David Alan Clark to create the sculpture. The piece, which is currently still in progress, is planned to adorn the center of the circular plaza east of Old Admin.

Clark’s sculpture, titled “The Muses,” features three figures welling up from the earth, facing outward, with their hands joined in a circle. His proposal states, “The figures are meant to roughly represent art, science, and sport–the essence of the educational experience as well as the balanced life.”

Clark specializes in large public monuments cast in bronze. His work appears in cities across the country, including Memphis, Tenn., Green River, Wyo., and Frisco, Texas. His website includes as a motto, “Portrait sculpture with carefully researched historic detail. Public art that speaks to today’s audiences. Bronze figures that say something about the place they belong in.”

The sculpture was wholly funded through Nebraska’s “1% for Art” law, which has been in effect since 1978. The law requires institutions to use 1% of state capital improvement funds for art. The Nebraska Arts Council website states the program “has generated over $3 million dollars in artwork for Nebraska’s state buildings, state colleges, and the University of Nebraska system.”

Dale Grant, vice president for administration and finance, said Monday that the arts budgets from renovating Sparks Hall and Old Admin were pooled together providing around $60,000 to commission the artwork.

A committee of CSC faculty and staff, chaired by President Janie Park, selected Clark’s piece from around 40 proposals it received.

George Griffith, professor of English and Humanities, and member of the selection committee, said Monday, “we might see it as early as this summer, and a dedication probably around homecoming in the fall.”

Further examples of Clark’s monument work can be seen at his website davidalanclark.com.