Pioneers of the Future, (sculpture).

Pioneers of the Future, (sculpture).

Barber, Jeffrey W., sculptor.

Pioneers of the Future, (sculpture).

Dedicated May 13, 1989.

Digital Reference:

Bronze on a marble or granite base.

Sculpture: approx. H. 68 in. x W. 6 ft.; Base: approx. H. 7 in. x Diam. 6 ft.

J. Barber (copyright symbol) 89 (Inscribed on top of base is an outlined map of North Dakota) signed

Two figures, a boy and girl, are hand and hand. They appear to be walking forward, looking slightly upward. Their outer arms are outstretched in front of them. The girl is standing on her proper left leg; the boy stands on both. They are atop an oval base, which has an incised map of North Dakota on top, and is decorated on the outer edge with a flat metal band.

The band has symbols representative of North Dakota, past (a Conestoga wagon) and present (a hypersonic aircraft). Other images symbolize peace: the US and Canadian flags and the rock cairn at the International Peace Garden; churches, wildlife, and the state's two major industries - shown as an oil derrick and a head of wheat. Books are shown to symbolize a quest for knowledge and education.

Allegory -- Place -- North Dakota

Allegory -- Time -- Future

Object -- Other -- Flag

Object -- Foliage -- Wheat

Object -- Written Matter -- Book

Architecture -- Machine -- Oil Rig

Architecture -- Religious -- Church

Allegory -- Quality -- Harmony

Architecture -- Vehicle -- Wagon

Architecture -- Vehicle -- Airplane

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Education

Outdoor Sculpture -- North Dakota -- Bismarck

Administered by State of North Dakota, Facility Management (State Capitol), 600 East Boulevard, Bismarck, North Dakota 58505

Located North Dakota State Capitol, Bismarck, North Dakota

IAS files contain related article from Bismarck Tribune (Bismarck, ND), May 12, 1989, pgs. 10 & 11. Bismarck Tribune article states that the base is granite; surveyor says it is marble. More than 71,000 children donated at least fifty cents each for the statue. Nearby plaque states: Pioneers of the Future/Jeffrey W. Barber, Sculptor/The path of the pioneer is not so much anymore the crossing of/untouched land, but is a path of knowledge through education/that opens up unknown truths about ourselves.

1989 is at the threshold of the new space age and the/young people will be the pioneers, carrying with them the/heritage of North Dakota into the next 100 years./Commissioned by the General Federation of Woman's Clubs of North Dakota and General Federation of Women's Clubs,/International, as a charter club.

Funds were raised primarily by the Youth of North Dakota with the/General Federation of Women's Clubs of North Dakota acting as the catalyst/and a contribution from the North Dakota Centennial/Dedicated May 13, 1989.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, North Dakota survey, 1992.

Bismarck Tribune, (Bismarck, ND), May 12, 1989, pgs. 10 & 11.

Bismarck Tribune (Bismarck, ND), May 12, 1989, pgs. 10 & 11.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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