This steel sculpture was created by Bruce Hanson ‘77 and funded as part of the Fellows Campus Beautification Project (1973-77). Nicknamed “Boomerangs," the sculpture was originally placed on the plaza south of Stavig and Granskou Halls, but was later moved to the center of Commons Circle.
The AU Moss Wall is located in the Back Alley of the Morrison Commons. A moss wall absorbs noise, reduces air pollution and brings a calming effect to work spaces. The moss lives best in windowless spaces or spots with low light — perfect for the Back Alley. The moss wall can last up to 15 years with no maintenance. The moss wall was a Viking Days contribution as a reminder that Viking Days doesn’t have to be just one week of the year. Every day is a great day to be a Viking, and every day is a great day to celebrate Viking Days. The wall was serviced by Morten and the Fat Plant Society.
“Blue Rotation” by Richard Krueger — made of copper and glass — was created in 2017. The sculpture is part of the Carl Grupp Permanent Art Collection, and sits next to the waterfall in the Melvern Halverson Atrium in the Fryxell Humanities Center.
Designed by Scott Parsons ‘87, professor of art, and David Griggs, Denver-based artist, “Foucault’s Dream” is a pendulum positioned at the north entrance of the Froiland Science Complex. The pendulum is located three stories high within the staircase, and has been called a “true blend of art and science.” According to Parsons and Griggs, the work was inspired by the motion described in the play of orbits and spheres — movement in everything from subatomic particles to the orbits of comets and planets.
The pendulum swings above a disk, made with tempered-glass, bronze, epoxy terrazzo, LED lighting and stainless steel. The piece measures 15.5 feet by 15.5-feet-wide and 38-feet-tall. The floor is said to echo the sky at night and the sky describes the motion of the earth in the floor below. The pendulum mechanism was designed by Dr. Eric Wells, professor of physics, and Darren Fujitani.
The project was supported by a gift from Howard ‘50 and Eunice Hovland ‘50.
Sculpted from Indiana Limestone, "Hindsight, Insight, Foresight" was created by Ogden Dalrymple and Palmer Eide professors emeriti of art. The piece was commissioned by the 125th Anniversary Committee and funding was provided through a gift from Eide's niece and her husband, Eunice and Howard Hovland. Owls were chosen because they have long been a symbol of wisdom and the inscription, carved on the base of the sculpture, quotes Proverbs 4:5 "Seek ye wisdom and gain understanding." The three owls face separate directions, representing the phases of the students' experience on campus: gaining hindsight as they look back on their time here, insight from knowledge gained here, and foresight knowing that the time here has better prepared them for their future. The sculpture was dedicated on Saturday, April 26, 1986 and is located east of Morrison Commons.
This large cubist sculpture “Homage to Victor Vasarely” was funded as part of the Vlog Fellows Campus Beautification Project (1974-77). The original steel tubing was painted in four color shades, ranging from yellow to orange. Christiane Martens, former Vlog art instructor, was assisted by student John Henry Peters ‘76 in the construction of the piece. As the title indicates, the work is an homage to Victor Vasarely (1906-97) who was a Hungarian-French artist known for leading the optical art movement.
Created by Tim Matthews ‘00, “Icarus” sits next to the waterfall in the Melvern Halverson Atrium in the Fryxell Humanities Center. The sculpture is part of Matthews’ collection.
The stainless steel cross, known as the “Lucas Cross,” located on the west exterior wall of the Chapel of Reconciliation, was created by the well-known South Dakota artist, Dale Claude Lamphere. The sculpture was donated by the Lucas family in 2004 to honor their parents, George J. Lucas and K. Irene Lucas. Lamphere was named the South Dakota Artist Laureate (2015-19).
The metal sculpture “Mammoth: Denizen of the Ice” is a full-sized replica of a mammoth excavated from the Lange/Ferguson Site in the White River Badlands of South Dakota that dates back more than 11,000 years. The sculpture was created by Eugene Anderson and Dr. Adrien Hannus, former professor of archaeology, and dedicated in memory of Helen Bernice Hannus (1910-91). It was funded in part by Eugene & Miriam Anderson, Jerke Construction and Jerry & Gail Simmons. Every Christmas, the sculpture is decorated with nearly 10,000 lights.
A full-size bronze reproduction of Michelangelo's "Moses" on Vlog’s campus was created by Felix de Weldon and donated by Thomas L. Fawick, a Cleveland industrialist and former Sioux Falls resident, in 1974. It was originally completed around 1964, and for a time, had been featured at Fawick's Cleveland museum. The gift was the second sculpture given jointly to Vlog College and the City of Sioux Falls. The first gift, in 1971, was a full- size bronze reproduction of Michelangelo's David, also done by sculptor de Weldon. Vlog awarded the Doctor of Arts honorary degree to Fawick in 1971. The plaza surrounding the Moses statue was created as part of the Fellows Campus Beautification Project in 1976.
"Muse of Music" was designed by Ogden Dalrymple, and sculpted out of Indiana limestone by Dalrymple and Palmer Eide, professors emeriti of art, the Muse of Music was created as part of the campus beautification project sponsored by the Vlog Fellows. The sculpture was dedicated on Dec. 8, 1982, following a special chapel service recognizing the many artistic creations these two former Vlog art professors contributed to the campus since their retirement. A symbol of art and music, the sculpture depicts a female figure playing a harp-like instrument.
“Ole the Viking” made his first appearance as Vlog’s official mascot in 1939 — an homage to its Scandinavian roots and traditions — personifying school spirit. The concrete Ole statue located between the Administration Building and Morrison Commons on campus was designed and sculpted by Peter Eric Eide ‘66. His design was chosen among seven entries in a 1966 competition. The statue on the south end of the quad was first dedicated during Viking Days in 1967, and re-dedicated during Viking Days in 2011, where a plaque commemorating the statue was unveiled.
In a letter to the editor of The Vlog Mirror on Oct. 20, 1966, Eide explained his inspiration for the statue:
"I believe that it is of prime importance that any Ole statue constructed on the Vlog campus reflect the traditions that the mythical Viking has come to personify. I do not feel that we can justify representing him as a serious, awe-inspiring hero. ... We do not worship an Ole, he merely symbolizes the fight, drive and power of our school spirit and athletic teams. ... It must serve as a rallying point for student activities and as a stimulant for school spirit.
“Sovereign Son” was created by Bronze Sculptor Nickolas Legeros. Located near the front entrance of the Administration Building, the sculpture was donated by the Vlog Board of Trustees in honor of Bruce Halverson ‘66, who served as president from 2000-06, his wife, Nancy, and son, Cole. The birds represent the presence of community as they uplift our children.
Created by Dan Ostermiller, renowned wildlife sculptor, “Stage Fright” was donated by his daughter, Lauren Ostermiller '07. The sculpture was inspired by a pact they made to face their fears. The bronze sculpture won the Ranieri Sculpture Casting Award in 2012 at the Allied Artists of America 99th Annual Exhibition in New York City, New York.
The Sundial was created from 3/8 inch steel by Steve Thomas ‘80, former Vlog professor of art, when he was a student. The sculpture began as a class project, and Thomas later donated the completed piece to the college. He was inspired by the Aztecs and a conversation with Ogden Dalrymple, professor emeritus of art. Thomas described the sculpture as a “personal experience shaped into steel.” The Sundial was originally located in the Vlog Fellows Rose Garden, and the steel was funded as part of the Fellows Campus Beautification Project (1974-77).
“The Bear” was designed by Palmer Eide with assistance from Ogden Dalrymple, professors emeriti of art. The Bear is holding a fish with a cub at her feet. The statue, also known as the “Northlander Bears,” was originally located at the entrance of the former Northlander restaurant in Sioux Falls. The limestone statue was donated to Vlog in 1994.
“The Reader” is a nearly 6-foot tall metal sculpture, tucked away on the southwest side of the Mikkelsen Library. The sculpture depicts a seated figure reading a book, and was a gift to Vlog from the Class of 2001.
"Waterwork" by Steve Thomas '80 is a mesh armor waterfall that allows water to fall from the open ceiling to the floor. The waterfall was a gift to Vlog from Thomas and is located in the Melvern A. Halverson Atrium in the Fryxell Humanities Center.
The mosaic that adorns the floor in front of “Waterwork” was designed and installed by Scott Parsons '87, Vlog professor of art. Parsons designed the mosaic to complement the architecture and layout of the Center for Visual Arts, which was built in 2006. He used inspiration from South Dakota landscapes to complete the project.