SU Sculptures Earn Honor From State Highway Administration

SALISBURY, MD---Artwork designed by Salisbury University students has made an impression on drivers traveling U.S. 13 near the Downtown area. Four metal sculptures displayed along that road as part of a partnership between SU and the revitalization organization Urban Salisbury recently earned the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Award of Excellence. Depicting Eastern Shore scenes with such imagery as the crab and Canada goose, the 16-foot sculptures were crafted by welding students from Parkside High School using SU designs. “Bringing local artists and welders together to create a public artwork from grants and private donations resonates the importance of art and public duty to any downtown,” said Brynne Hayes, executive director of Urban Salisbury. Susan Holt, chair of Urban Salisbury’s sculpture committee, echoed those thoughts: “The sculpture project so wonderfully fulfills the mission of what public art should really be about: by the community for the community with the single objective of collective enticement and pride through art.” James Hill, SU Art Department chair, served as a liaison between the designers, welders and Urban Salisbury. SU students Tim Carle, Emily Dutch, and Rebecca Sinko created Crab as part of a class taught by Brooke Rogers of the Art Department. Karen Hannah, a 2002 BFA graduate, designed Heron in Reeds at Sunset in another class taught by Rogers. Abigail Klakring designed Sailboat as part of a class taught by Jinchul Kim of the Art Department. Jennifer Mowbray designed Canada Goose and Leaping Fish also in a class taught by Kim. The Award of Excellence is presented to projects that exemplify collaborative, interdisciplinary plans for transportation facilities specific to physical, cultural, social and environmental settings such as the Eastern Shore. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.