DeKALB – Outside the Stevens Building, a sculpture has recently been built as part of a larger renovation project for the building. The name of the sculpture is “The Tribesmen, The Hero and The Light.”
Construction for the sculpture began in July and was completed in September. NIU put in a request to the state of Illinois for funds in 2018.
“They started working on it in July. They just this week (week of September 8) finished installing the lights,” Andy Dolan, director of marketing and communication for the College of Visual and Performing Arts, said.
The Capital Development Board selected NIU for the Stevens Building renovations out of many requests.
“When we realized we needed to renovate Stevens, we put a request into the state. They considered a bunch of projects. They picked ours and they funded it,” Andy Dolan, director of marketing and communication for the College of Visual and Performing Arts, said.
The Illinois Capital Development Board has an art-in-architecture program which states that public artwork is required by the state with renovation or building of a new structure, according to the Art-in-Architecture Policy.
There were various artists from the DeKalb area who submitted proposals, and sculptor Boyan Marinov’s proposal was selected, according to the Fine Arts Review Committee meeting minutes.
The sculptures are made out of stainless-steel, steel tubing, clay and concrete.
In total, the renovation cost $23.7 million; however, the sculpture itself cost $105,000. This cost is for the design, materials, installation and lights, and was funded by the state and by the Capital Development Board.
The Stevens Building has three disciplines: theater, dance and anthropology. These programs are through the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Dolan said the sculpture was chosen because of its symbolism.
“I think that’s why the design was picked,” Dolan said. “You see the three figures, and it’s kind of a nice way to portray the three different things that go on in the building behind it.”
From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26 in front of the Stevens Building, NIU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony and cookout. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be available, and a short program will take place at noon.
