Top Five EvCC Campus Sculptures: Their History and Meaning

Today the Clipper brings you descriptions of five of EvCC's campus art pieces that bring beauty and uniqueness to the campus.

“They add a lot to the beauty of the campus; sculptures and art pieces. I feel glad, just to look and feel the campus.” said Vice President of College Services Pat Sisneros about the campus art.

Many students and staff enjoy the campus art because of its significance and history.

“It makes our campus beautiful and meaningful art definitely has significance.” said Indu Bedi, Student Ambassador at EvCC. 

“One of my degrees is in art so I really enjoy that how it beautifies the campus. I like that there is lot of unique type of arts; it’s not all the same looking. It gives you a lot of different way to look at,” said Brittany Padgett, Program Support Supervisor.

“Actually I really like the physical pieces around the school, they bring a lot to the college itself and shows the creativity of the people both who teach here and student themselves. I really like all the pieces and I was very surprised when I came here first and saw them,” said student Shalaana Beane.  

These art pieces have great history and remarkable meanings.

 

1. The Feather Star

The Feather Star is the inspiration of Everett Community College Logo, which can be seen on everything associated with EvCC. The Feather Star was designed by Ali Boudin and was first installed in the library in 1978. In the 1987 fire, Feather Star survived and it was re-installed outside of the Parks building. Now, the Feather Star has become a symbol of renewal and rebirth for the college.

2. Firefighter's Plaza

This bronze sculpture, designed by Larry Anderson, was built in the memory of Gary Parks who gave his life fighting the February 16, 1987 fire which destroyed the EvCC library and student center and to all firefighters who risk their lives to protect others, according to the EvCC website. The EvCC foundation, Everett Firefighter’s Women’s Auxiliary and Everett Firefighters played a vital role in building this sculpture.

3. The Universal Totem

The Universal Totem was a gift to the EvCC students from the United Native American Council and the Circle Friends.

Artist Alex Paul Sr. and the Paul family, a well-known Local Native American and multi-generational carving family who live in the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community near LaConner, WA designed this totem pole facing east to honor the new day’s sunrise and the spirits that live in the east.

According to the EvCC website, this symbolism was "extremely relevant to the EvCC and its educational goals; a thunderbird eagle – welcome, vision and unity; a wolf – teachers and strength; a baby wolf – student leaders, a baby frog – students and curiosity; a butterfly – rebirth in two life stages, education and graduation; and the four directions – universal learning and healing for all people."

This totem pole was dedicated on November 30, 1992 to the memory of Isabelle Paul, the Lady of the Drum.

4. Everett Arbor

This place is quite famous among EvCC students especially couples. You can easily find couples having silent discussion under this Arboretum.

This place was designed and created by Anna Valentina Murch as a vertical garden symbolizing a place to meet and hang out. Another reason to create this garden was also to evoke the memory of the original atrium, which was destroyed in the fire in 1987.

Everett Arbour was commissioned in 1988 by the Washington State Arts commissioned in 1988 by the Washington State Arts Commission with EvCC and the EvCC foundation.

 

5. The Day the Wall Came Down

The beauty of the library doubles with this bronze sculpture which was designed by Veryl Goodnight. 

“I believe that the sculpture was originally made in honor of the wild horses that used to live in some eastern Washington part so it has a connection through the local history of the region. I think that makes this art piece much more interesting. It’s nice to have it in the library because we are a repository of knowledge and we are a centralized meeting place of the students, staff and faculty at Everett Community College,” said librarian Heather Sheppard.

Story by Sumit Karn