Large Lion sculpture moving closer to UAFS

story submitted by the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

The dream of having a larger-than-life bronze lion sculpture for a mascot at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith is coming closer to reality as internationally recognized sculptor Jon Hair of North Carolina has been commissioned for this massive project.

Hair was chosen by the Lion Committee at UAFS after review of his extensive work by the 20-member committee. The Lion Committee is made up of representatives from the Chancellor’s Coalition for the Visual Arts, the UAFS Foundation, the UAFS Athletic Club, and a group of staff and students.

A small group from UAFS recently previewed the lion in clay form before it is finalized with the addition of the bronzing, and those seeing it were "wowed" by the image. The cantilevered lion has front paws raised and his mouth open and is captured in a leap, giving the intimidating sculpture what the committee members believe will place the piece as a strong focal point in front of Stubblefield Center.

UAFS First Lady Janice Beran, who is chair of the Chancellor’s Coalition for the Visual Arts, is the first person to pursue the reality of having a larger-than-life sculpture to reflect UAFS Lion Pride.

"We wanted a real, palpable symbol to reflect the traditions of the university for the past, present and particularly for the future," Beran said. "This beautiful sculpture will be a centerpiece for the university and for the community. It’s a show stopper. … Traditions will be built around this magnificent piece. The real value of having this sculpture on our campus will only be enhanced as the years go by."

Representatives from the Lion Committee who went to North Carolina to review Hair’s progress on the piece were told that the mold form will now go to California to be cast in bronze and then be driven back to Fort Smith. Beran said the university hopes to take a group of art students to California to see that process. It is expected that the lion will be installed on campus in late spring.

Beran said the project would not have been possible without the generosity of those providing funds to the UAFS Foundation to complete the project.

Marta Loyd, vice chancellor for university advancement and an ex-officio member of the Lion Committee, agreed.

"We applaud the vision of Sally Boreham of Fort Smith and Pearl Raney of Booneville, who are now both deceased," Loyd said. "This lion will give our university a new sense of pride and give our students an opportunity to build tradition around a unique and highly visible mascot."

Gifts totaling $200,000 from the donors are funding the design, sculpture and installation of the lion.

Hair, who has won numerous awards for his work, is known for the 35-foot bronze and steel monument titled "Olympic Strength." This sculpture has become an icon for the U.S. Olympic Training Center and features four heroic Olympic athletes lifting a huge globe on their shoulders. Another piece by Hair is a sculpture of Capt. Christopher Newport, the swashbuckling fleet commander who established the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown in 1607. It stands 24 feet tall in Newport News, Va.

Hair’s work is seen in galleries and in private collections and on a growing number of corporate and college campuses from Beijing to Hollywood. University campuses sporting his work include, among others, Purdue University in Indiana, High Point University in North Carolina, the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, Lynchburg College in Virginia, Winthrop University in South Carolina and Fayetteville State University in North Carolina.

Beth Presley, assistant athletic director and senior women’s athletic administrator, chairs the Lion Committee. Lion Committee members are Anne Thomas, from the Foundation; Janice Beran, Don Lee, Dr. Henry Rinne, Stacey Jones, Sherron Shuffield and Peggy Weidman, from the Chancellor’s Coalition for the Visual Arts; Dustin Smith and Louis Whorton from the Athletics Department; Steve Dobbs, Susan Devero and Keith Fudge as campus representatives; student representatives Richard Gunselman, Michael Pharis, Michael King and Johannah Hendrex; and Fort Smith Booster Club members Bill Wilson, Mary Beth Sudduth and Wanda Srygley. In addition to Marta Loyd, ex-officio members include UAFS Chancellor Dr. Paul B. Beran and Mark Horn, vice chancellor for finance and administration.