Re: Vandal sculpture

["Leo Ames" <leoames@moscow.com>]

Tom,
RE: >...real University of Idaho mascot, Joe Vandal, residing in the Student
Union Building....

    A great sculture, it is; and great sculptor. The Vandal in the SUB is by
George Roberts, UI professor of art, emeritus. Welded sculture is his forté.
He & Mackie (both artists) still reside in the Moscow area (somewhere on
Paradise Ridge). He sculpted this figure in the early 1960s for the UI. You
can probably contact him or check out the facts in the UI Library Archives.
There were articles and photos about it and him (some by me) that appeared
in university media and elsewhere - I'm not certain what they were called at
that time: "The University of Idaho Record," possibly in "The Lewiston
Morning Tribune," "Daily Idahonian," and "The Argonaut."
    The original vandals appear to have been a widely ranging band, roaming
over western and southern Europe/Iberian penninsula, and into northern
Africa for some 400 years, they must have varied widely in appearance and
group composition in that span of time. Then they went from Africa to be one
of the many groups that sacked early Rome. 
    George articulated his concept of the warriar Vandal with symbolism that
included Moorish influences, northern Euoropean, and even with some artistic
touches of Idaho geography incorporated (the looping snake shape, i.e.,
Snake River) ....
    Many of George Roberts' sculptures (including hawks, wolves and dogs,
etc.) dot the globe also... and the campus. Though I haven't looked lately,
one is in the College of Law, near the entrance. A huge hawk graces a main
building of Colombia Basin College, Pasco/Kennewick, (the college's mascot
is The Hawks). The sculpture's history of travel before alighting at CBC
took it around the West (including the Statehouse in Boise) before being
purchased for permanent residence at CBC.
    
    ... Sorry, George, for blowing your cover. You're a great teacher and
artist......

            .....Leo Ames, Moscow.  (Former student of George and retired UI
employee........)
----------
>Date: Sat, 11 May 2002 16:41:41 -0700
>From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen@moscow.com>
>To: "Idaho Vandals" <vandal@uidaho.edu>, "Vision 2020" <vision2020@moscow.com>,
>   "Citizens for Quality Education" <cqe@topica.com>
>Subject: Moscow Junior High School and Joe Vandal
>
>Greetings Vandals, Visionaires, and CQE'rs -
>
>I have just finished posting two more pictures to my website that you might
>enjoy viewing and downloading.  They are:
>
>http://www.tomandrodna.com/MJHS.jpg - An old photo of Moscow Junior High
>School.  I believe that this picture was taken in the late fifties or early
>sixties.  If I am wrong, please let me know, OK?
>
>http://www.tomandrodna.com/JoVandal.jpg - A recent (picture taken today,
>5/11/02) photo of the real University of Idaho mascot, Joe Vandal, residing
>in the Student Union Building.  I would appreciate some history of this
>magnificent artifact.  When was it sculpted?  Who sculpted it?  Where was it
>sculpted?
>
>A footnote:  The future of Moscow's younger generation got a little brighter
>on April 23rd with passage of the levy.  Although I have no children, I once
>was one (although some people believe I still am).  I understand the quality
>of a good education.  Without the proper tools, this would not be possible.
>Without resources (i.e. funds), the tools would not be available.  Although
>property taxes may increase slightly, intangible dividends are can now be
>realized Monday through Friday of each school semester for the next year.
>Hats off to those CQE'rs who answered the call "Don't tell me why I can't.
>Tell me how I can."
>
>Until later, take care and . . .
>
>GO VANDALS ! ! !
>
>Tom Hansen
>(Idaho, Class of '96)
>
>***********************************