Sculpture depicts miracle

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Much symbolism for education is found in the artwork at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

A new sculpture at Oklahoma Wesleyan University depicts a blind man regaining his sight at the Pool of Siloam. Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World

By LAURA SUMMERS World Correspondent
Published: 8/8/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 8/8/2009 4:31 AM

BARTLESVILLE — The new Oklahoma Wesleyan University sculpture of a blind man receiving the miracle of sight at the Pool of Siloam has stories to tell.

Colorado sculptor Scott Stearman envisioned many layers of meaning and symbolism when he crafted the art work, which was installed last week in the courtyard of a new $6 million university library that will greet students returning to the campus for fall classes. The art tells a biblical story but also symbolizes the knowledge students gain at college.

"It has a lot of symbolism for education," Stearman said. "There is a fog that is lifted from our eyes as we learn. Students come in thinking this is what is true, this is reality — and all of a sudden they reach a point where they have a different world view now."

The story of the sculpture comes from the book of John in which Jesus encounters a man who has been blind since birth. Jesus spits on the ground and makes mud, which he places on the man's eyes. He tells the man to go wash his face in the Pool of Siloam — and as the mud comes off, sight comes to him for the first time.

Stearman said the idea for the sculpture came from a meeting with university President Everett Piper and Bartlesville architect Scott Ambler where they discussed plans for the new 20,000-square-foot Charles and Janice Drake Library, which is named for donors to the project.

All agreed they liked the Pool of Siloam story and the various meanings it could have for the 1,100 students who

are working toward undergraduate and master's degrees at the evangelical Christian university, which this fall celebrates its 50th year of college classes.

The university completed a $10 million capital fundraising campaign three years ahead of schedule, providing for the library; the new $900,000 Mark and Lisa Roberts Fitness Center, which includes volleyball and basketball courts and state-of-the-art exercise equipment; and a new soccer field donated by Charles and Julie Daniels.

"I feel really great about helping Oklahoma Wesleyan University communicate who they are and where they are — and it's a huge story," Stearman said.

By LAURA SUMMERS World Correspondent

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