This year there are seven sculptures that are included in Washburn’s 17th annual outdoor sculpture exhibition that appeal to everyone’s viewing pleasure as they stroll around campus. Each sculpture has its own place on campus where they can best be viewed by all.

“It’s very successful and is tribute to Washburn to have this exhibit. Not only for our campus, but for our community,” said Rugena Hall, one of the members of the campus beautification committee.

Greg Inkmann not only helps select the pieces displayed, but also installs them both around campus and inside of the Mulvane Art Museum. Inkmann knows the campus well enough to know where each piece will provide the best fit, maximum viewing, or the best amount of sunlight. Some of the sculptures require a 360 degree viewing, and some require movement in the wind.

Inkmann has been a member of the campus beautification committee since its start in 1995. Inkmann received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1999 from Washburn, and has a sculpture displayed inside of the union. Inkmann’s sculpture, a white bird, is located near the Corner Store.

The campus beautification committee, as well as a special panel of jurors, starts the process in choosing sculptures as early as the second week of June. Deadlines for submissions are May 31.

“New jurors every year make it interesting,” said Hall, “Different jurors look at it with a fresh perspective.” It is also key having the right jurors for the process.

“It’s important to have a jurist who has adequate sculpture knowledge and art credentials when choosing a sculpture in competitions,” said Inkmann.

Jurors try to select pieces in every medium possible, something that art students, as well as the community as a whole, can appreciate.

“Every year we’re surprised at the new kinds of art,” said Hall.

Once the pieces have been chosen, the previous year’s entries are then taken down, and the new selections are installed by the end of July. One of the criteria that are most important when choosing a sculpture is safety.

For this year’s exhibition, there are six new sculptures. President Jerry Farley personally chooses the sculpture that gets displayed in front of Morgan Hall every year. This year features “Life (Portal to the Future),” a stainless steel sculpture by Zachary Bowman of Cedar Falls, Iowa. There are two sculptures, “Lady Negril (Mujiere de Negrill)” and “Denver Boy,” which is located by Washburn Village, by George Paley of Lawrence, Kan., that are made from mixed media.

Another featured piece is “Closer Separation” by Benjamin Pierce of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and is made from steel. “Column,” is a unique wooden sculpture that is nestled in between Benton Hall and Memorial Union, and was created by Joe Forrest Sackett of Albuquerque, N.M. “Mirage,” made from steel, petrified wood, photo vinyl, and dinosaur bone, was made by Alan Detrich of Lawrence, and is located nearby Yager Stadium.

Located by Henderson is “Lantern Light,” by Ye Yushan of Beijng,China. Lantern Light is one of four sculptures given to cities in the United States by the Chinese government to commemorate 30 years of formal Sino-American diplomatic relations.