The Centennial Statue, (sculpture).

The Centennial Statue, (sculpture).

De Weldon, Felix George Weihs, 1907-2003, sculptor.

Romanowicz, Byron, architect.

Johnson, Ernst, architect.

Bruni, Francesco, caster.

Fonderia Francesco B, founder.

Foster-Creighton Company, contractor.

The Centennial Statue, (sculpture).

Astronaut Statue, (sculpture).

1974. Dedicated May 11, 1974.

Statue: cast bronze and stainless steel; Base: polished Swedish black granite, carved, partially gilded.

Statue: approx. 12 ft x 7 ft. x 64 in.; Base: approx. 62 x 85 x 64 in.

FOND FRANCESCA B/ROMA 1974 (Front of base, in gold lettering:) THAT'S ONE SMALL STEP FOR A MAN/ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND/ARMSTRONG (On side of base:) FELIX de WELDON Sc. 1974 (On other side of base:) CENTENNIAL YEAR GIFT/FROM/ALUMNI AND FRIENDS/OF/EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY/MAY 11 1974 signed Founder's mark appears.

A nude, young, American male stands with a small dolphin under each foot, a narrow drape hanging from his elbows and covering his loin. His arms are upraised and his upper torso is encircled by horizontal, sphere-like stainless steel orbits. The figure's arms are upraised and he holds a launching saturn rocket in his proper right hand. Within the surrounding orbits are the moon and the earth. The figure's proper left hand holds a military-like jet aircraft, perhaps a space shuttle. The statue is mounted upon a rectangular base with inscriptions, and includes a medallion on the front with a rendering of the placing of the American flag on the moon in July 1969 by Apollo Eleven astronaut Neil Armstrong.

Figure male -- Nude

History -- United States -- Space Program

History -- United States -- Flag

Architecture -- Vehicle -- Spacecraft

Landscape -- Celestial -- Moon

Portrait male -- Armstrong, Neil -- Full length

Occupation -- Transportation -- Astronaut

Allegory -- Place -- Extraterrestrial

Literature -- Armstrong

Animal -- Dolphin

Waterscape -- Sea

Outdoor Sculpture -- Kentucky -- Richmond

Administered by Eastern Kentucky University, Administration Office, 203 Jones Building, Richmond, Kentucky 40475

Located Eastern Kentucky University, University Center, Park Drive entrance to the Powell Building, Richmond, Kentucky

Statue is a gift of the Eastern Kentucky University Association and was commissioned for the University's centennial celebration. It was chosen by the Alumni Executive Council for the Centennial Club campaign because of its significance as a symbol of pioneer spirit. The statue was erected by the Foster-Creighton Company under the supervision of the artist, and architect Byron Romanowicz, who, with Ernst Johnson designed the University Center. The statue is modelled after the astronaut trophy and medal which the artist designed in the early 1960s for the Space Program. According to the artist, the orbits of stainless steel interpret the techniques used in the United States' manned moon expeditions, including the cycle of an expedition from launch at Cape Kennedy, landing on the moon, and the return to earth. The dolphins under the figure's feet symbolize the landing in the oceans. IAS files contain a dedication program for the statue gives conflicting dimensions from SOS! survey. Program states that the statue is 30 feet high.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Kentucky survey, 1994.

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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