Public Art
Beyond Bardo Arts Center
An initiative of the WCU Fine Art Museum, the goal of the Public Art Program is to place artwork in public areas on campus so that the Western community can appreciate it on a daily basis. Artwork by faculty, students, and alumni of the School of Art and Design as well as select works from the permanent collection are featured in the program. The Public Art Program is part of WCU’s ongoing commitment to lifelong learning, quality of life, and academic success.
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Newest Outdoor Sculpture
Rendering courtesy of the artist, Hoss Haley.
Staurolite, by Spruce Pine artist Hoss Haley, is the newest permanent exhibition in our collection of outdoor art. This new work is part of a comprehensive initiative within the Apodaca Science Building spearheaded by WCU's Public Art Committee and the WCU Fine Art Museum. View our newest outdoor sculpture outside the WCU Apodaca Science Building and learn more about the sculpture, Staurolite.
Public Art Program Collection
 Neil Noland, American |
 William Bennett, American |
 Be Gardiner, American |
 Richard Hallier, American |
 Jeral Kledis, American |
 Stephanie Nichols, American |
North Carolina's Artworks For State Buildings
The State of North Carolina purchased or commissioned artworks for state buildings beginning in 1982. Between 1989 -1996, artworks were commissioned using one-half of one percent of a state building's construction budget. Through the Artworks for State Buildings Program, 61 projects around the state were completed. The last contracted project was installed in 2000. The program is documented in a published catalog Creating Place: North Carolina's Artworks For State Buildings available through the North Carolina Arts Council and on line at ncarts.org.
 Kathy Triplett, American |
 Kathy Triplett, American |
 Jim Gallucci, American |
 Al Frega, American |
After nearly twenty years of hosting Outdoor Sculpture Competitions, Western Carolina University is now taking the next step in its commitment to the research of contemporary public art. Western Carolina University is implementing an exciting Public Art Master Plan in conjunction with the current Campus Master Plan. The following is a description of the Public Art Campus Master Plan and the implementation process. The Western Carolina University Art Master Plan is a mapped and written program of art location, requirements, and process that reflect the history and identity of the campus and community. Specific sites for art are established based on current campus development, existing elements, and historical significance. The art placed in these sites are programmed through several approval and requirement processes to:
- Enhance the Location Aesthetically
- Engage the Viewer
- Emit Historical, Present Day and/or Future Significance
The Public Art Master Plan developed for Western Carolina University is a collaborative effort between Woolpert, Inc., the Fine Art Museum and School of Art & Design, Facilities Management, and University Administration. The Fine Art Museum, in conjunction with the Cherokee Heritage and Fitness Trail opportunities, helped to shape the overall Western Carolina University Public Art Master Plan by incorporating public art with the historical heritage and fitness trail installation. Both programs bring the uniqueness of the campus to life while enhancing the public's awareness of art.
The intention of the Western Carolina Arts Master Plan is to increase public access to public art on campus. The art itself will allow viewers a true sense of the campus from past, present, and future. The master plan encompasses a collective system of art separated into five types:
- Permanent Art
- Temporary Art
- Neighborhood Art
- Themed Art
- Heritage Trail Art
Location and types of these art pieces are predetermined and planned in correlation with both the existing campus and with the future campus development to ensure vitality through the campus' progression. As the Public Art Master Plan moves forward, stay tuned to this website for information regarding upcoming Calls to Artists.
Names of the members of the Public Art Committee:
-Carolyn Grosch
-Denise Drury Homewood
-George Brown
-Gregory McPherson
-Javier Torres
-Joe Walker
-Kim Kopak
-Melissa Wargo
BAC Hours
- Box Office: Tuesday - Friday 10am - 4pm and Thursday 10am - 7pm
- WCU Fine Art Museum and FAM Shop: Tuesday - Friday 10am - 4pm and Thursday 10am - 7pm
