“Portal,” a new sculpture by award-winning artist Gordon Huether, will be installed in the traffic circle east of Stranahan Hall on The University of Toledo’s Main Campus Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Huether is traveling from Napa Valley, Calif., to oversee the installation of the circular piece that will be about 15 feet in diameter and consist of aluminum tubing with blue and gold dichroic glass accents. White LED lights will illuminate the sculpture at night.

The work will be installed Wednesday morning with a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m. Huether will be at the event and available for remarks.

“This work will serve as an iconic portal to the eastern edge of Centennial Mall,” said Dr. Steven LeBlanc, executive associate dean for academic affairs and professor in the College of Engineering, who is chair of the Campus Environs and Beautification Committee.

Funding for “Portal” came from the Ohio Percent for Art Program related to the construction of Stranahan Hall North and the renovation of Gillham Hall and the Health and Human Services Building.

Huether was selected from more than 50 artists who submitted proposals, according to LeBlanc. The artist has won more than 50 public art awards and been commissioned for more than 150 pieces around the world during his 30-year career.

Click here to download an artist rendering of what the sculpture will look like.

For more information, contact LeBlanc at 419.530.8264.

Media Coverage
WNWO (Oct. 3, 2013)
The Blade (Oct. 23, 2013)