B
IG RAPIDS – The founding mission to create opportunity and provide access to education
for all began more than 125 years ago at Ferris State University and a recent sculpture
dedication will ensure these values have a permanent place in the community.
The unveiling of the set of three sculptures, placed permanently west of campus on
Perry Street, took place on May 7 as part of the University’s 125th celebrations.
“The sculptures are a visual narrative that offer a thought-provoking dialog to the
viewer of all ages about the nature and intellectual personality of a place and time,”
Ferris Resident Artist and professor of Creative Arts Robert Barnum said.
“This university is an industry dedicated to goals from the practical to the philosophical
that evolves the human race. The sculptures are a visual presence that will stand
for hundreds of years and will require a personal, self-directed response,” Barnum
said.
Designed by Barnum, the sculpture project was an extension of the Festival of the
Arts, a program dedicated to enriching lives through art and building bridges between
Ferris and the surrounding communities.
The sculptures were built with the help of Welding Engineering Technology students
and associate professor David Murray.
