A statue of a man playing chess at an outdoor table.

Public art

Our campus is filled with public art in the form of 18 life-size bronze sculptures, most of which have been generously donated by J. Gilbert and Louella H. Reese, through their Thomas J. Evans Foundation. Take a walking tour of campus to see them all, or enjoy the images below.

Coming soon: Ella Baker memorial statue 

Classical figure sculptor Dana King has been selected to design and create the first-ever sculpture in honor of Civil Rights activist Ella Baker. 

The memorial statue will be unveiled in the spring of 2025. 

Great Contributors Series

by Gary Lee Price

Lent to the campus by J. Gilbert and Louella H. Reese, through their Thomas J. Evans Foundation, the series honors the ideals represented by various world figures: Mark Twain, William Shakespeare, George Washington, Claude Monet, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart, Joan of Arc, Mother Teresa and The Wright Brothers. Price’s work is unique in depicting these historical giants not standing on pedestals but seated on bronze benches that offer an open seat for students to join them.

A young African American woman seated on a pile of books looking eagerly toward the future.

New Heights of Knowledge: Dreams

by Gary Lee Price

This statue depicts a young African American woman seated on a pile of books looking eagerly toward the future. Price says of the collection, "The children represent diligent study. The stacks of books represent the higher levels of learning and understanding that come to us through knowledge."

Bronze statues in the form of animals stand in a circle with their paws clasped together.

Circle of Friends

by Gary Lee Price

The circle represents the world coming together, ‘paws’ clasped in friendship and unity. Price includes one animal from each of the seven continents, representing the entire world and our need for interaction and cooperation. An open space in the circle invites passers-by to join in.

A sculpture of a pig.

Charlie Black

by Carrie Gantt Quade

The sculpture of a pig (seated) was inspired by Quade's summer visits to her grandparents' farm. "I learned respect from the pigs," she said.

A sculpture of a pig.

Charlotte

by Carrie Gantt Quade

A pig (standing) was also inspired by Quade's summer visits to her grandparents' farm.

A statue of a father and son fishing together.

A Day Off

by Seward Johnson

One of Johnson’s hyper-realistic sculptures in his “Celebrating the Familiar” series, this work depicts a father and son fishing together.

A statue of a girl who lies in the grass and writes in a notebook.

Summer Thinking

by Seward Johnson

Another hyper-realistic artwork in Johnson’s “Celebrating the Familiar” series depicts a girl dreamily lying in the grass and writing in a notebook.

A statue of a man playing chess at an outdoor table.

The Winner

by Seward Johnson

A chess player contemplates his next move.