Artis sculpture returns to campus after repairs

After more than two years, two trips to Omaha, and more than $5,000 in repairs, a damaged sculpture has returned home to Chadron State College.

The piece, a bust created by nationally and internationally renowned sculptor and former CSC instructor William Artis, was accidently knocked from its pedestal in Memorial Hall back in 2012, according to Sarah Polak, director of the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center.

The value of the piece was so great, Professor of Visual and Performing Arts Richard Bird got down on his hands and knees and piece-by-piece saved every shard for restoration.

Polak initiated the repair, but securing funding extended the process. A specific repair fund was used for the project, not student fees, Polak said.

Omaha’s Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center repaired the shattered bust. The center, one of only five places in the U.S. with lab repair capabilities, was selected for its proximity and quality of previous repairs.

“First of all, it’s in Nebraska, even though it’s on the other side of the state, it’s the closest conservation center to us,” Polak said. “We like, if possible, to spend Nebraska state tax dollars in Nebraska. I was familiar with their work that they have done on other pieces and knew that their work would be spectacular.”

Polak drove the piece to Omaha herself, and then picked up the repaired piece, making sure it was not damaged again.

This bust was the first of many damaged art pieces repaired due to Artis’ importance not only to CSC, but also as a sculptor. Artis, who died in 1977, taught ceramics and sculpture at CSC from 1954-1966. The time he spent at CSC made a significant impact on the future of the art department.

“He was here at a time when we had art, but art was not a major,” Bird said. “He was instrumental in the birth of the art major.”

Artis’ inspiration extended beyond his CSC classrooms. Artis, originally from New York, is becoming recognized as an influential African-American artist involved with the Harlem Renaissance. After leaving CSC, Artis taught at Mankato State College, now Minnesota State University-Mankato, where he was selected multiple times as an outstanding teacher, according to Bird. The high price of Artis’ pieces at auction reflects his skill and status as a sculptor.

“We knew this was an important piece to repair financially,” Polak said. “It is a pretty high visibility piece.”

This piece is one of about 10 Artis busts on campus, for which Artis used student models. Polak believes CSC’s art collection maintains about 28 total pieces of his work.

“To our knowledge, it’s one of the largest collections of his work in the nation,” Polak said.

“We are very fortunate to have the pieces we have,” Bird said. “There are many colleges and collectors wanting his work.”

Polak hopes this repair will inspire more repairs of damaged artwork on campus. She said CSC’s artwork has not been neglected, but it has not always been cared for “in the best way.”

“We have a lot of artwork on our campus that needs new frames, that needs to be cleaned, that needs to be repaired,” Polak said. “We want to take care of all of our artwork.”

However, many repairs require a large expense, most of them needing close to $5,000.

Although most permanent CSC art collections are on display, the storage space for art awaiting repair is running out. The CSC student increase has put a demand on space for computer labs, music labs, science labs and other student spaces.

“We’ve chosen to create great spaces for students to learn and to live, which is great,” Polak said. “Things like art are not a priority on campus for storage, unfortunately.”

Polak hopes the repair of the Artis sculpture will encourage everyone at CSC to appreciate the art collections everywhere on campus, not just in Memorial Hall.

Art is not, “just some picture students walk by everyday. We have great art,” Polak said. “We have amazing collections, not just of art, but of botany and geology and all kinds of stuff all over campus that people don’t really take the time to notice. Hopefully bringing awareness to this piece getting repaired will help people pay a little more attention.”

Art impacts student education at CSC. Campus art is placed specifically for student benefit. It should be appreciated, cared for, and treated with respect.