Client: ALVERNO COLLEGE

Location: MILWAUKEE, WI, United States

Completion date: 2006

Artwork budget: $150,000

Project Team

Artist

LYLE LONDON

Art in Metal USA LLC

Architect

Marsha Sehler

Uhlein Wilson Architects

Overview

Philanthropist Roy Reiman gave a generous gift to Alverno College that covered the cost of a new Student Center, an outdoor plaza that served as a focus for the campus, and other beautification projects. One of the elements in the plaza was a fountain that required a central sculpture. The fountain acts as a 'dryscape' in the winter months as well.

Goals

The major goal was campus beautification. The new student center along with the adjacent plaza fountain and sculpture were to be a new focus of student activity. The sculpture itself was intended to serve as an inspirational icon for students, staff, and visitors to the campus. The scale had to be appropriate to the fountain and plaza and the sculpture needed to have a lighting feature to draw viewers after dark.

Process

As the winner of the plaza sculpture competition, Uhlein-Wilsons Architects, the College Administration, Alverno student body, the donor, and local residential community representatives to create an inspirational sculpture for the large fountainthat dominates the plaza in front of the new Student Center. The piece acts as a visual icon and focus for outdoor campus activities and events