Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The final touches are being applied today to a huge copper Seahawk that will soar in front of Hoggard Hall on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus. Wilmington metal sculptor Dumay Gorham is applying patina to the sculpture and "marrying" the bird to its 500-pound base at his studio today, in preparation for its installation tomorrow at Hoggard Circle.

Media are invited to cover the final stages of the sculpture completion today as well as its journey from Gorham's downtown art studio to campus and the installation process Thursday.

Sculpture Completion and Installation Schedule—TODAY AND TOMORROW

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Acme Art Studio, 711 North 5^th Avenue

Application of colored patinas to the sculpture and "marrying" of sculpture to its base. Please call Dumay Gorham, 910.612.1723, if you plan to visit the studio.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

9-9:30 a.m. Acme Art Studio, Staging of truck and loading of Seahawk sculpture for trip from downtown to campus

11-11:30 a.m. Arrival of sculpture on campus and begin installation process

NOTES for Thursday:

• A bucket truck will be on site to assist media with access for photography and videography
• Wagoner Drive, which runs across the front of campus parallel with College Road, will be closed for the installation, but media may gain access by checking in that the barricaded checkpoint
• TV stations who plan to broadcast live from the installation should inform UNCW Media Relations ahead of time for assistance with live truck parking and any support needs
• Dumay Gorham will be available for interviews during and after the installation

The sculpture, with a nearly 20-foot wingspan, is believed to be the world's largest Seahawk, or osprey, sculpture. This is being researched for confirmation. The sculpture and its base weigh 2,000 pounds, its height is 10 feet from base to highest point and its length is 6 feet from beak to tail. Thousands of copper feathers have been painstakingly welded to the sculpture to give it a realistic look. Hundreds of hours of work have gone into the construction and finishing of the copper sculpture and its base.

The sculpture was commissioned by Charlotte philanthropist Irwin "Ike" Belk and is a personal gift from him to UNC Wilmington. No UNCW or state funds are being used for the project.

Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu; cell number 910.508.3127