The new wooden grenadier statue carved during homecoming was previously located in the IUS breezeway in front of the administrative offices but has been missing for a few weeks.
As it turns out, the statue is fully intact and will be returned back to the breezeway soon.
As reported in the Feb. 22 edition of The Horizon, Chancellor Sandra Patterson-Randles had the idea to memorialize a 120-year-old white oak tree from the campus because it was dying and had to be removed.
The tree was carved using a chain saw to create the grenadier in February for Homecoming 2011.
The wooden grenadier was then placed in front of the administrative offices in the University Center, where it was on display until it disappeared about a month ago.
The grenadier was removed from campus and taken to the shop of Jason Emmons, the artist who did the carving.
The statue did have noticeable cracks in the wood, but, despite the rumors, it wasn’t sent back for repairs. It was sent back to be sealed.
“The administration knew that there would be cracks in the wood,” Emmons said. “It’s a natural process, and it’s going to happen after a carving and during the drying process.”
The university was concerned that if Emmons finished the statue on campus, the fumes from the sealant might affect the students, so it was taken to his shop for the final touches.
After four days of applying a sealant, the grenadier remained in Emmons’ shop to dry and allow time for the fumes from the oil-based finish to dissipate.
Emmons said it has been a great experience working on this project.
“It was like giving this 120-year-old white oak a second life in creating Gus,” Emmons said. “The University will have it for many years to enjoy.”
The wooden grenadier has drawn praise and criticism from students because of the cost of the carving.
Thomas Ferguson, criminal justice senior, said he thinks the statue was a waste of money.
“I don’t think most people like it in the first place,” Ferguson said. “To go and spend more money on getting Gus sealed is even a bigger waste of money.”
Amber Griffin, psychology junior, said she disagrees despite just learning of the statue’s existence last week when one of her professors mentioned the grenadier carving in class.
“I think it’s really cool because not every school has a mascot that’s made from a tree — a 120 year-old tree at that,” Griffin said.
The funds for this project came from an account that was specifically designated for this purpose.
The account was created for the beautification of the campus, and part of the fund was set aside to purchase signature pieces of art for the campus.
Emmons is an award-winning sculpture who owns Bear Hollow Wood Carvers based in French Lick, Ind.
To preserve the work, the statue needed to be coated with the finish, which added $500 to the cost and also came from the beautification account.
Dana Wavle, vice chancellor of Administrative Affairs, summed it up in an e-mail statement.
“We work hard to manage all campus resources,” Wavle said, “and we feel that the long-term value of this project — as both art and history — will far exceed the nominal cost that was incurred to enrich this year’s homecoming weekend.”
By STEVE NICHOLS
Staff
stevnich@umail.iu.edu
