Youth in the Desert, (sculpture).

Youth in the Desert, (sculpture).

Shonnard, Eugenie F., 1886-1978, sculptor.

Youth in the Desert, (sculpture).

Desert Maiden, (sculpture).

Maiden of the Desert, (sculpture).

Santa Rita, (sculpture).

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: sandstone; Pedestal: sandstone; Base: concrete.

Sculpture: approx. 62 x 40 x 40 in.; Base: approx. H. 1 ft. x Diam. 12 ft.

(Pedestal:) Eugenie F. Shonnard Nov. 1941 signed

A central female figure holding a desert dove with both hands raised in front of her chest. She stands on a cross-shaped pedestal surrounded by four vegetal forms --two cactus and two trees that are carved on the surface with birds perched on branches. The female figure has shoulder-length hair and wears a short-sleeved, ankle-length dress with a decorated sash around the waist. The sculpture is surrounded by an octagonal planter that is decorated with relief carvings of desert animals and birds.

Figure female -- Full length

Animal -- Bird -- Dove

Object -- Foliage -- Cactus

Outdoor Sculpture -- New Mexico -- Albuquerque

Sandia Preparatory School, 532 Osuna Road, N.E., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113

Formerly located New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Workman Center Administration Building, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87801

The sculpture was commissioned by former Congresswomen Ruth Hanna McCormick Simms for the girls' school she founded in Albuquerque, the Sandia School. The sculpture was a gift to the school from Albert G. Simms, in memory of his late wife, and was installed in 1940. In 1942, the school was closed when the campus was appropriated by the U.S. Government for use during World War II. When the program that was housed at the school was subsequently moved to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, New Mexico, the sculpture was moved to that location, and remained there until March 11, 1996, when the sculpture was dismantled during a construction project. In spring of 1997, the sculpture was returned to new campus of the Sandia Preparatory School, where it was initially placed indoors to prevent further weather damage. On May 25, 1998, the sculpture was moved outdoors and placed on a concrete base designed by maintenance staff. Although often called a fountain, it was originally designed as a planter for cactus.

Treated 1997-1998. Treatment repor on file with owner.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New Mexico survey, 1994.

Sandia Preparatory School Archives, 2000.

Inventory staff, 2000.

SOS Conservation Treatment Award, 2001.

SOS Conservation Notification Report, 2000.

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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Horizon Information Portal 3.25_9382

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