By Tim Corso / Jambar Contributor
The Butler Institute of American Art is installing a sculpture on Youngstown State University’s campus.
Susan Carfano, the director’s executive assistant at the Butler, said “Primary Compass” is a 22-foot high, two ton sculpture, which was created by Don Gummer. The statue’s plinth, which is currently being built, will be situated between the Butler and William F. Maag Jr. Library.
Carfano said Gummer began creating artwork similar to “Primary Compass” in the mid ’80s and his artwork has been featured in collections around the world.
His early work included table-top and wall-mounted sculptures before he transitioned to free-standing sculptures such as “Primary Compass.”
Gummer commonly works with materials including bronze, aluminum and steel, with steel being the makeup of YSU’s soon-to-be newest addition to campus.
Gummer has public sculptures that can be seen in major U.S. cities, such as Los Angeles and New York, and other countries, including Denmark and Japan.
Louis Zona, the Butler’s executive director and chief curator, said he’s looking forward to Gummer’s work to be displayed.
“Don Gummer is probably the best. He’s an Indianapolis-based artist,” Zona said. “He’s also a terrific teacher and I’m hoping that he’ll do some projects for us involving a lecture or two about the sculpture.”
The sculpture was originally in Trumbull County, before the museum decided to move it to Youngstown. Zona said the sculpture is an effort to embellish the property.
While campus is going to be the home of the sculpture, the Butler owns the property where the sculpture’s base will be placed.
Zona said the university is supportive of Gummer’s work being cemented as a new part of YSU’s campus.
“They were enthusiastic — from President [Bill] Johnson to Jim Tressel [and] John Hyden, who’s in charge of the property,” Zona said.
The project has been in the works for several years, but the COVID-19 pandemic halted its installment.
Although there is no set date for installation, the project will be finalized in the near future.
As for future projects, Zona said the Butler isn’t yet committed to any.
