U of I welcomes sculptor of iconic Joe Vandal statue
January 30, 2025
MOSCOW, Idaho — University of Idaho commissioned a statue of its mascot Joe Vandal. On campus next week, Feb. 3-7, the artist chosen will be sculpting the monument live, as well as providing a lecture and hosting an open house. Students, U of I employees, alumni and community members are invited to attend.
Over four days, Northwest artist Gareth Curtiss will sculpt a clay model, called a maquette in sculpting terms, of what will become the full-scale bronze monument. He will work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Feb. 4-7, in the Idaho Student Union Building (ISUB) Rotunda in Moscow.
Everyone is encouraged to engage with Curtiss during the live sculpting process to help ensure the scale model reflects the image and spirit of Joe Vandal, U of I’s mascot since 1956.
There are two additional ways the public can get involved during the week:
- Community open house 5-6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, in the ICCU Arena Alumni Club: Hear more about the monument project, ask questions and provide feedback about the Vandal community.
- “The Art of Creating Bronze Sculpture” lecture 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in TLC 040: Curtiss will offer insights into the creation of large-scale public art, providing a comprehensive overview of the process — from conception to completion.
The Joe Vandal monument was commissioned to recognize the Associated Students of University of Idaho’s (ASUI) enduring legacy of support for the P1FCU Kibbie Dome and many other vital campus resources. It will be located near the dome and the ICCU Idaho Arena.
More than 300 students and nearly 1,200 alumni, employees and community members provided input on sketches of three potential poses for Joe Vandal and a maquette of his face and helmet. The survey responses were incorporated into a final design showing the mascot with arms crossed leaning on a large “I” monument.
ASUI selected Curtiss to work on the project after a nationwide selection process. With more than 30 years of experience, the Montana-based artist stood out for his engagement with the selection committee, his willingness to connect with the Vandal community and his impressive depth of experience in public art.
“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,” Curtiss said. “Together, we will be making a character already larger than life, much, much larger.”
MEDIA NOTE: Members of the media are invited to attend the open house and any part of the live sculpting to shoot video/photos, interview the artist and students, employees and visitors who may be watching the sculpting process. Artist Gareth Curtiss and ASUI President Martha Smith are available for interviews from 10 am. to noon Friday, Feb. 7.
Media contacts
Jessica Hotchkiss
Senior Director, Donor Relations
University of Idaho Foundation
208-885-4483
jhotchkiss@uidaho.edu
Céline Acord
Project Manager, Architectural and Engineering Services
University of Idaho
208-885-1270
celine@uidaho.edu
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho’s land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to more than 12,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu.