Sculpture: Astro Treillage

Artist: Michael Dunbar

Media: Painted Steel

Southwestern Illinois College Foundation Gift: William E. Schmidt Charitable Foundation and a number of donors to the College Foundation

Dunbar's "Astro Treillage" was the first outdoor sculpture on South-western's Belleville Campus.  This five-ton, 17' X 14' X 20' work, was fabricated in 1995-1996 by the College's Welding Program under the leadership of Faculty Coordinator Garner Kimbrell and Faculty member Chuck Gulash.  Art Faculty member Dale Threlkeld was the liaison between the artist and the welding faculty and assisted in the actual construction of the finished pieces.  Numerous welding adjunct faculty and students devoted hundreds of hours of work to the project.  Many other College staff and faculty participated in the 300 man hours it took to assemble the sculpture on the site.

The sculptor named the piece "astro" meaning star, and "treillage," a latticework for growing plants.  The artist pondered the proximity of the Belleville Campus to Cahokia Mounds and the use of the shape of the sculpture suggests a number of early tools, including a sextant, used by early sailors for determining latitude and longitude.  Dunbar said a college education also provides direction for students.

This 17-foot sculpture is a memorial to William E. and Florence Schmidt.  Individuals, organizations and dozens of businesses provided cash or in-kind support, labor and materials.

Dunbar, co-founder of Chicago's Pier Walk international sculpture show on Navy Pier, is now a sculptor of national recognition.  Presently he works almost exclusively in bronze.

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