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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBonfire Statue , Sprrit' ofa tradition Bonfire- themed sculpture dedicated By GREG OKUHARA Eagle Staff Writer Sculptor Edd Hayes didn't attend Texas A&M University, but he has plenty of friends who did. So when he was approached to cre- ate a life-size sculpture capturing the tradition and feel of a student BonfIre worker, he had plenty of inspiration to draw upon. "I feel like it came out pretty good," he said. "It's one of the easiest pieces I've ever designed." The sculpture, titled Aggie Spirit, was dedicated during a ceremony Thursday morning at the Northgate promenade. The $50,000 sculpture was paid for by College Station through the Art Council of Brazos Valley's public art program. Dudley Construc- tion donated the foundation work. Hayes said he was able to create the statue without any preliminary sketches or drawings. All it took was the knowledge of A&M's traditions shared with him by friends. "I think it shows the life and the spirit that these young people have," Hayes said. The 90-year-old BonfIre tradition came to a tragic halt in 1999 when the log structure collapsed while under construction, killing 12 Aggies and injuring 27. Netta Simek, Arts Council of Brazos Valley president, said the sculpture reflects the strength and hope that A&M students provide for the Bryan- College Station area. "This symbol of tradition is just a part of what we do every day at the See SPIRIT, Page A8 The sculpture Aggie Spirit earns a round of applause from a group of local dignitaries after Its unvellln~ at the North~ate promenade Thursdav Eagle photo/Dave McDermand morning. The sculpture by Edd Hayes focuses on the spirit of the tradition of Bonfire, which ended In traltedv In 1999. Spirit I; Frorn~1 Arts Council," she said dur- ing Thursday's ceremony. "It captures the courage and determination of an Aggie redpot at work, and shows how Aggies work together toward a common goal." A Class of 1995 Aggie ring adorns the right hand of the BonfIre worker. The logs at the base of the sculpture form an "A," and the student is pointing toward the campus BonfIre site. "I think it's symbolic of building teamwork, the team- work students had building BonfIre and went on to help win World War I and World War II," said P. David Romei, executive director of the Arts Council. Romei said there are no numbers on the worker's hel- met, or pot, so all Aggies look- ing at the sculpture can feel that he's a part of their classes. Northgate was chosen as the location for "Aggie Spirit" because a large number of Aggies will be able to see the sculpture there, Romei said. "It's symbolic of respect, and maybe for Aggies who are there it will inspire a cer- tain amount of respect among each other," he said. Aggie Spirit is the 25th sculpture installed in the Bryan-College Station area through the Art in Public Places program. "I'm extremely honored to have been chosen to create this sculpture," Hayes said. "As students pass by this sculpture, I hope they pause and reflect a little bit. It's as much a part of them as they are a part of it." . Greg Okuhara's e-mail address is greg.okuhara@theeagle.com.