The completed sculpture garden outside the Edward M. Dowd Art and Art History Building on the campus of Santa Clara University (SCU) was dedicated on Oct. 13 with the ceremonial sprinkling of holy water by Father Michael Engh, S.J., 28th President of SCU, a Jesuit Catholic university dating from 1851.
The sculpture garden, which has a living wall on one end, is the permanent home of “Zeno,” a 12-foot diameter stainless steel sculpture by California artist Roger Berry and “Solar Flare,” an equally large, painted steel sculpture by California artist Linda Fleming.
“This is public art. We see this as a gift to the City. We want all residents of the City to be able to enjoy the beauties of these artistic creations,” said Engh at the dedication, which was open to the public. “We want the university to be ever more involved with the City.”
“In Context, Drawings, Models,” an exhibit of works by Berry and Fleming, runs through Nov. 21 in the first-floor gallery of the Art and Art History Building, which is open free to the public Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Edward M. Dowd Art and Art History Building, located on Franklin St. at the corner of Alviso St., is a three-story, 45,000-square-foot facility which opened in 2016. Its foyer is dominated by a 13-foot high by 8-foot wide hanging glass sculpture created by world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. Titled “Persian and Horn Chandelier,” the stunning amber and red chandelier can be seen close up from the second-floor viewing gallery.
Art by students and others is displayed throughout the building on all floors. The third-floor rotunda has a circular walkway with panoramic views and an outdoor terrace.
“This (sculpture garden) is another milestone in how the building enriches our campus,” said Engh before asking God to bless the garden, praying to “God who is the source of creativity, God who is the source of life, God who is the inspiration of art.”
The Edward M. Dowd Art and Art History Building was funded by a $12 million gift from SCU alumnus Edward M. Dowd.
“Art transcends all time and seems like a great cause to me,” said Dowd, who attended the sculpture garden dedication, in a press release. “I have a desire to use my resources to create a better world, and I feel a world filled with art is a far more enjoyable place.”
For information on events organized by the SCU Department of Art and Art History, visit www.scu.edu/art.