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Continuing with studio visits of Contemporary Sculptors of Chicago..

August 8, 2011: A day trip to Michigan City to meet sculptor and curator S. Thomas Scarff.

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This post is a continuation of my earlier post on visit to Sedgwick Studio in Old Town, Chicago… click here..
Tom Scarff divides his time between two places: Chicago and Michigan City.  After meeting with him at  Sedgwick Studio. I followed up with trip to Michigan City, Indiana. Here he works from his home-studio. He also is curator of an extremely popular “Odyssey Sculpture Exhibit” at Purdue University North Central [PNC]. Here he assumes the role of an artist-mentor, especially for young emerging artists, and give them an opportunity, by showing their work alongside the work of established artists.

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The first stop in Michigan City was a trip to the Purdue University North Central. Here sculptor-curator Thomas Scarff, along with the PNC assistant vice chancellor of Marketing and Campus Relations Judy Jacobi, have created an annual event “Odyssey Sculpture Exhibit” that brings an array of artwork, especially large-scale sculptures to the campus. These sculptures are installed in a carefully curated exhibition spread over more than 300 acres of beautifully landscaped university grounds. Over the years the Odyssey Sculpture exhibit has evolved into a distinctive cultural landmark not only for the university, but the entire region. The exhibition is open to the public during university hours.

 

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We toured sprawling Odyssey Sculpture Exhibit in a golf cart and saw works of many artists including John Adduci, Richard Kiebdaj, Fisher Stolz, Zelda Werner, Bruce White, Dessa Kirk, Michael Grucza, Preston Jackson, Rob Lorenson, Joseph Colosi, Jason Verbeek and Kara James, Dusty Folwarczny, and also of Tom Scarff.

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After seeing the breathtaking variety of outdoor sculptures spread out in the campus, we went to Library Student faculty Building to see the work by noted 20th century artist George Sugarman. Purdue University North central is home to hundreds of pieces of art by George Sugarman which includes sulptures, a variety of framed paintings, a tribute wall of 35 framed works, a montage of photographs depicting the artist and his biography. After seeing some of his work, it was lunch-time and we took a break in the PNC canteen.

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After the University tour, Scarff took me to a sculpture tour of Michigan City and the trip ended with a small visit to his home studio.

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We went to see one of Scarff bronze sculptures “Centura”, which is in the courtyard of the Michigan City Public Library. The abstracted female form, holding an open book, commemorates the library’s 100th anniversary. It was commissioned in 1997 by John and Edward Vail in memory of their father William W. Vail, who had served on the library’s board for 43 years.

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After a very productive day-trip of Michigan City, it was time to head home!
Thank You Tom Scarff for your time!
Thank You for everything you do and for making a difference!
Also special Thanks to Judy Jacobi for your time, and everything you do!

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RELATED LINKS:
Studio Visits: click here..
Know the Artists series.. click here..

 

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Dec 31, 2010:Chicago Art magazine: Purdue’s Sculpture Park: “Jewels and Shine” – by Victor M. Cassidy.. click here..
March 2004: ISC Magazine Roughing It: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sculpture Symposia – by Barry Tinsley .. click here..
Thomas Scraff click here..