Albert Paley’s Sculpture Unveiled in Dedication Ceremony at RIT, Oct. 2

The Sentinel acts as a dynamic focal point in newly redesigned administration circle

A towering sculpture with drapery-like folds of massive steel ribbons accent the newly redesigned administration circle at Rochester Institute of Technology.

The Sentinel—a 110-ton, 73-foot high, steel-stainless steel-bronze work of art created by renowned sculptor Albert Paley—has brought high visibility to RIT. Monumental in size, it is Paley’s largest commission to date and the largest sculpture on any campus across the United States.

In celebration of the completion of The Sentinel and new pedestrian plaza, the campus is holding a symbolic ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2. A reception will be held in front of the administration circle at 3 p.m., followed by a formal dedication ceremony at 4 p.m.

The program finale includes a special performance by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Christopher Seaman. The RPO’s festive repertoire includes Dances from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

Dean of RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, Joan Stone, will open the ceremony, introducing featured speaker Sam Hunter, Professor Emeritus of Art History at Princeton University. The roster also includes remarks by Paley, RIT’s Charlotte Fredericks Mowris Endowed Chair of the School for American Crafts in CIAS and RIT President, Albert J. Simone.

“In so many ways, The Sentinel speaks to the history of RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences,” says Stone. “As The Sentinel keeps vigil, we will be reminded daily of the awesome power and strength of the gift of creativity and the freedom to pursue it.”

For Albert Paley interviews and information about The Sentinel dedication, call Marcia Morphy at 475-4951. Visit www.rit.edu/paley/ for the sculpture Web cam and photo gallery.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Albert Paley is the Charlotte Fredericks Mowris Endowed Chair in the School for American Crafts, http://www.rit.edu/~652www, at RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences. The school offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in glass, woodworking and furniture design, metalcrafts and jewelry, and ceramics and ceramic sculpture.

Internationally recognized as a leader in computing, imaging, technology, fine and applied arts, and education of the deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology, http://www.rit.edu, enrolls 15,000 full- and part-time students in more than 250 career-oriented and professional programs. U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked RIT as one of the nation’s leading comprehensive universities.

For information on Paley Studios Ltd., Rochester, N.Y., visit http://info@albertpaley.com