I am writing this blog with a bit of a heavy heart. A person who I barely knew, but who had a huge impact on my life has passed away. Larry Nowland , the sculptor who completed a sculpture of legendary Iowa State track and field coach Bill Bergan passed away on July 30th.
I only knew him for a very short time, but his passion for life and his craft and encouraging words inspired me when I was in doubt as to whether or not I was going to be getting my job. I had the distinct honor of meeting and having dinner with he and his good friend Henry Duffy when he came to Ames to install his statue of Coach Bergan. His encouraging words and inspirational story came to me at a time when I was doubtful that I would secure the dream job that had been working towards and he gave me such hope and courage that it was hard to even imagine that I wouldn't get the job. When I finally did get the job and announced it, he again sent me a very sincere and uplifting message and I had hoped to send him great thanks for that boost of confidence and inspiration. Alas, his tragically untimely demise will forever make that thanks impossible. All that I can do now, is attempt to live my life with the same passion and vigor that he lived his in hopes of honoring his wonderful spirit.
Working in a museum filled with incredible art, I knew that I would be working with objects created by immensely talented craftspeople long since departed. Larry was the first whom I had a chance to meet and engage with who then ended up passing away. His death at 48 years old was a tragic theft of a wonderful life who had a great deal left to offer to the world. All that I can do now is attempt to honor his kindness of spirit and passion for his craft by retelling the story of Larry Nowland to all whom come to visit the works he created for our campus.
May your beautiful spirit find peace and joy in the great beyond Mr. Nowland and may it be a place filled with exquisite spaces for you to fill with your wonderful creations.
If you are in Ames next week, join me in dedicating this great man's wonderful work on an ArWalk:
Join University Museums in welcoming the newly completed Coach Bill Bergan and Athletics into our Art on Campus Collection. Can you guess which Christian Petersen sculpture inspired artist Larry Nowlan and his work? Meet your guide at the Cyclone Sports Complex to find out.
Tour at 12 p.m.
I only knew him for a very short time, but his passion for life and his craft and encouraging words inspired me when I was in doubt as to whether or not I was going to be getting my job. I had the distinct honor of meeting and having dinner with he and his good friend Henry Duffy when he came to Ames to install his statue of Coach Bergan. His encouraging words and inspirational story came to me at a time when I was doubtful that I would secure the dream job that had been working towards and he gave me such hope and courage that it was hard to even imagine that I wouldn't get the job. When I finally did get the job and announced it, he again sent me a very sincere and uplifting message and I had hoped to send him great thanks for that boost of confidence and inspiration. Alas, his tragically untimely demise will forever make that thanks impossible. All that I can do now, is attempt to live my life with the same passion and vigor that he lived his in hopes of honoring his wonderful spirit.
Working in a museum filled with incredible art, I knew that I would be working with objects created by immensely talented craftspeople long since departed. Larry was the first whom I had a chance to meet and engage with who then ended up passing away. His death at 48 years old was a tragic theft of a wonderful life who had a great deal left to offer to the world. All that I can do now is attempt to honor his kindness of spirit and passion for his craft by retelling the story of Larry Nowland to all whom come to visit the works he created for our campus.
May your beautiful spirit find peace and joy in the great beyond Mr. Nowland and may it be a place filled with exquisite spaces for you to fill with your wonderful creations.
If you are in Ames next week, join me in dedicating this great man's wonderful work on an ArWalk:
Join University Museums in welcoming the newly completed Coach Bill Bergan and Athletics into our Art on Campus Collection. Can you guess which Christian Petersen sculpture inspired artist Larry Nowlan and his work? Meet your guide at the Cyclone Sports Complex to find out.
Tour at 12 p.m.