Nationality
Native American, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa
Preview
Date of Work
2000
Medium
Welded rebar
Height
17'
Width
12'
Collection/Provenance
UND Public Sculpture and Installations
Status
Displayed: Soaring Eagle Prairie
Location
UND Campus, behind Chester Fritz Library
Artist Bio
From plaque:
Bennett Brien ('84, '88) is a native of Belcourt, ND. He is experienced in several medias, ranging from acrylic to various metals. Bennett Brien is well recognized in the northern states and is best known for two sculptures, a buffalo and an Arabian horse, located on the state capitol grounds in Bismarck, ND.
Additional Information
Plaque reads:
"Soaring Eagle"
This sculpture is presented to the students at the University of North Dakota as a generous gift from Col. Eugene E. Myers, Palm Beach, FL. "Soaring Eagle" depicts the personal and educational growth students experience during their journey through college. The Eagle represents the search for knowledge, truth and wisdom. The Tree represents family, change and growth through life. The Limbs represent the many different paths which can be taken. The Base symbolizes UND as a starting point - a foundation for life and success.
DEDICATED
OCTOBER 6, 2000
THE DONOR:
Col. Eugene E. Myers ('36, '38) is a native of Grand Forks, ND. Serving as a high ranking officer in the U.S. military, and in leadership roles at several major galleries and universities, Col. Myers has a great understanding and appreciation for art. He has provided major financial support for art and art education at UND for many years and has purchased significant volumes for the art education collection at the Chester Fritz Library.
THE SCULPTOR:
Bennett Brien ('84, '88) is a native of Belcourt, ND. He is experienced in several medias, ranging from acrylic to various metals. Bennett Brien is well recognized in the northern states and is best known for two sculptures, a buffalo and an Arabian horse, located on the state capitol grounds in Bismarck, ND.
2023 Update:
The Soaring Eagle sculpture was first dedicated in early Oct. 2000, and was created by the renowned Indigenous artist Bennet Brien, who received an MFA from UND. The sculpture was a gift from Grand Forks native and UND alum Col. Eugene E. Myers, who was a high ranking officer in the U.S. military, and held leadership roles at several major galleries and universities. UND Art Collections, The Department of Art & Design, and the Chester Fritz Library are supported by generous funds from the Myers Foundations.
The surrounding garden came two years later, the idea of Glinda Crawford, a Sociology professor at UND from 1975 to 2005. Horticultural designer and environmentalist historian Kathleen Brokke planned the Soaring Eagle Prairie flowerbed, which was dedicated in 2002.Crawford passed away in 2016 but her daughter Melanie made the journey from Wisconsin for the dedication ceremony of the updated botanical space, where she was asked to stand and be recognized.
Today, the garden contains medicinal plants such as cedar, sage and sweetgrass, among others. The garden is ringed by a wide stone bench and provides a place for people to sit and reflect.
Condition
Excellent
Rights
Images are provided for educational purposes only and may not be reproduced for commercial use. Images may be protected by artist copyright. A credit line is required to be used for any public non-commercial educational purpose. The credit line must include, “Image courtesy of the University of North Dakota.”