Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Wilmington metal sculptor Dumay Gorham is nearing completion of his latest piece, a copper Seahawk that will soar in front of Hoggard Hall on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus. The sculpture, with a nearly 20-foot wing span, is believed to be the world's largest Seahawk, or osprey, sculpture. This is being researched for confirmation.

Work on the sculpture is taking place at Acme Art Studio, 711 North 5^th Avenue. The studio will be open and the artist available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 7-9. Please call Gorham on his cell phone to let him know if you plan to visit the studio, 910.612.1723.

Over the next 48 hours, the Seahawk sculpture will be flipped on its back to have the under-the-belly feathers installed. Metal polishing and the application of colored patinas may begin Thursday morning, depending on the weather. 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.

The stainless steel base will be constructed on site as well. The base and the sculpture will be put together the morning of the installation, which is tentatively scheduled for the end of next week. Specific information on the installation will be forthcoming, including a schedule for when the sculpture will be transported by truck to campus from downtown.

The sculpture is a personal gift to UNCW from Charlotte philanthropist Irwin "Ike" Belk. 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