ASUI Recognition Monument
In recognition of Associated Students University of Idaho (ASUI)’s enduring legacy of support for the Dome and many other vital campus resources, the university is commissioning a monument to be located near the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. This permanent monument will stand tall in recognition of ASUI’s contributions to student life and the vibrant Vandal community we’ve built together.
A Monument Inspired by You
Meet the Artist and See the Monument Take Shape
Through a campus-wide survey, over 1,500 students, alumni, faculty and community members provided valuable input on key design elements. Now, it’s time to bring that vision to life!
The sculpture artist, Gareth Curtiss, will be on campus Feb. 3-7, sculpting the monument live in the Rotunda of the Idaho Student Union Building (ISUB), allowing the community to witness the creative process firsthand. This is a unique opportunity to see the transformation of Joe Vandal into a permanent symbol of tradition, pride and excellence.
In addition to live sculpting, Curtiss will be engaging with students and employees throughout the week, getting to know our Vandal community and embracing our university’s mission of hands-on creativity. He will meet with art students for workshops and discussions, collaborate with the creative committee to refine the vision and interact with campus leaders to ensure the monument reflects the true spirit of our university.
How You Can Participate
We invite students, employees and the community to stop by, engage with the artist and share their thoughts throughout the week. Key opportunities for involvement include:
- 5-6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3 | Community Open House (ICCU Idaho Arena Alumni Club Room)
Join us for an evening with the artist to hear more about the monument project, ask questions and provide feedback about our Vandal community. - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 4-7 | Live Sculpting Sessions (ISUB Rotunda, First Floor)
Stop by anytime throughout the week to watch the artist sculpt a scale model of the monument in real time and see the progress unfold. - 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 | “The Art of Creating Bronze Sculpture” Lecture (TLC 040)
The artist will offer insights into the creation of large-scale public art, providing a comprehensive overview of the process — from initial conception to final completion.
We encourage everyone to take part in this momentous occasion as we create a legacy that will stand for generations to come.
About the Artist
We are thrilled to announce that an artist has been selected for our much-anticipated campus monument! After a thoughtful and collaborative selection process involving 35 submissions and various interviews with talented artists from all over the country, our creative committee reached a unanimous decision to move forward with Gareth Curtiss.
Curtiss stood out for his exceptional engagement throughout the process, his willingness to connect with our community and his impressive depth of experience in public art. With more than 30 years of experience, he has worked on impactful commissions for other universities and institutions, bringing vision and craftsmanship to life. Beyond that, Curtiss demonstrated a strong commitment to involving our campus family in the creation process, ensuring that this monument will truly represent ASUI’s contributions and our Vandal community.
“I am delighted to have been selected to create the statue of Joe Vandal and am looking forward to working with the Vandal community on this great project. Together, we will be making a character already larger than life, much, much larger!” — Gareth Curtiss, Sculptor
Curtiss is from northwestern Montana and has completed several bronze sculptures for various municipalities, athletic teams and public spaces. See Curtiss’s previous work here: garethcurtiss.com