In Students Aspire, how is the History of the piece of the Description elucidated?
Elizabeth Catlett was chosen to be the artist for this work by vote from faculty, staff and students of the College of Engineering. In 1973, a $600,000 grant from the Exxon Education Foundation was being used to construct the chemical engineering wing of the University's engineering building. Exxon offered an additional $30,000 to fund art for the new engineering wing and that gift was approved in 1974.An art committee was set up to manage the selection of the artist for the project. Twenty-two artists were invited to participate and fourteen responded. A total of eight sketches of proposed artworks were submitted for display in the lobby of the engineering building and based on the response, four of the eight artists that submitted work were invited to submit maquettes of their proposed sculptures. Upon submitting their maquettes, artists spoke at the College about their proposals.In 1976, a vote was held and staff, faculty and students from the engineering school voted. Catlett's work won the contest. The sculpture was dedicated on May 12, 1978. Geraldine Pittman Woods spoke at the dedication.
Elizabeth Catlett Geraldine Pittman Woods Exxon maquette