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Top Ten Overlooked Gems
There is truth to the observation that we see only what we have
been taught to look for. Often we miss or overlook what is right
in front of us (under our nose so to speak.) Even at a small university
like UVM, we develop efficient ways of moving from where we live to where
we study; going from our place of residence to class, the library,
the athletic campus, or downtown Burlington. We develop patterns of
moving through space, unconsciously creating 'memory maps' which limit
where we go and what we see. This list of overlooked 'gems' only
scratches the surface. There are many more 'gems' to discover, reminding
us of the rich and diverse physical environment and material culture
we call UVM.
1. Pothole, aka Arthur's Seat or the Broken Molar.
Vermont marble, c 8,000-10,000 year's old. Located between Votey Engineering
and Kalkin Hall and directlyacross from the entrance to Perkins Geology Building.
This artfully placed richly sculptural...
2. Adams House, 601 Main Street, 1905.
Designed by Harding and Upman. Now used as an administrative building for the
School of Natural Resources and the UniversityExtension Service, this elegant
Beaux-Arts classically geometric form raised...
3. Two Notable UVM Landscapes.
Designed by UVM Buildings and Ground Personnel. Throughout the larger University
campus one can discover the hand of the landscape architect in the creation of
many small, contained park-like settings. Two favorites include...
4. The Three Witches from Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Anonymous.19th century cast iron fireback mounted on the north wall of the
entrance to the Royall Tyler Theatre. An unusual subject for the functioning
part of a working fireplace...
5. Given Medical School Courtyard.
Designed by Skidmore, Owens & Merrill. Now the temporary quarters of the
Dana Medical Library, this recently enclosed courtyard was imaginatively
converted into a library which has a sense of lightness and...
6. West Facade, Main Entrance, Williams Hall, 1896.
Designed by the Wilson Brothers. A materially dense, visually rich surface of
terra cotta relief sculpture at the second and fourth registers of the building
which include medallion portraits of three...
7. The Healing of Tobit.
Roy A Kennedy. n.d. One of two easily overlooked sculptures on campus with
interesting stories. This highly pictorial relief sculpture of copper and
steel mesh is found at the Medical School, located in the atrium between...
8. Animal Downspout, N.W. Tower, Billings Library (Student Center), 1885.
Designed by H. H. Richardson. A French Romanesque Revival Sculpture with intricate
interlace carving banded around the second course of the Norman Tower...
9. Penelope,
Franklin Simmons, c.1891. Marble; and
Brenda, Edwin Owre, 1966. Painted wood. Two statues of exceptional merit,
one classical in subject and execution [Penelope]; the other work deeply influenced
by cubism...
10. Ralph R. LaPointe Class of '42,
Francis Colburn, 1968. Oil on Canvas. Lapointe was the UVM baseball
coach, 1952-1967. Thousands of spectators pass by this gem of a painting
on their way to UVM athletic events each year...
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