Media Advisory: Wilmington Artist Dumay Gorham Putting Final Touches on Seahawk Sculpture with 18-Foot Wingspan

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Wilmington metal sculptor Dumay Gorham is in the homestretch of completing his latest creation, a soaring Seahawk sculpture slated to be installed next week on the campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

The copper sculpture, which features an 18-foot wing span, will be displayed in the traffic circle in front of Hoggard Hall, where it will be visible from College Road. It is scheduled to be installed next week, prior to the university's Spring Commencement ceremonies.

Media are invited to cover the process of completion of the sculpture this week and over the weekend at Gorham's studio. He is working long hours to complete the project, so timing is flexible. Visual opps are available of Gorham working on the sculpture, as well as interview opportunities with him as he works.

Soaring Seahawk Sculpture Facts:

Dimensions (approximate measurements)

  • Width: 18 feet from wing to wing

  • Height: 10 feet from base to highest point

  • Length: 6 feet from beak to tail

  • Weight: 2,000 pounds (1/3 of weight from exterior, 2/3 from base and support)

  • Believed to be the world's largest Seahawk, or osprey, sculpture; this is being researched

Design

  • Engineered to withstand vandalism and large hurricanes

  • Largest piece ever created by sculptor Dumay Gorham

  • Design process began one year ago

Funding

  • Sculpture is a personal gift to UNCW from Charlotte philanthropist Irwin "Ike" Belk

  • Retired president of Belk Group of department stores has given generously to the state's university system

  • Belk is a former state senator and appointed delegate to the UN General Assembly, and served two terms of the UNC Board of Governors

  • No UNCW or state funds were used for the project

Artist

  • Native of Wilmington and graduate of N.C. State University in English and Art Institute of Pittsburgh in Industrial Design Technology

  • Began metal sculpting as a hobby, which became a profession as he began to receive commissions

  • Has created commissions for UNC Wilmington, the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the New Hanover County Arboretum, the City of Wilmington and Airlie Gardens, among others.

Media contacts:
Dumay Gorham, 910.612.1723, studio is at Acme Art, 711 N. 5th Street, Wilmington

Jamie Moncrief, UNCW photographer, 910.431.3747

Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu