Students: David Granitz and Jeffrey Wheeler of Beaumont
Classification: Granitz, December graduate; Wheeler, junior
Major: Granitz, studio art; Wheeler, sculpture
Creative activity: Under a commission from Jefferson County, Wheeler and Granitz designed a large sculpture that will be permanently installed outside the Ben Rogers Regional Visitors Center at Ford Park on Interstate 10, a high-traffic location visible to hundreds of thousands of people who pass by each year.
Synopsis of Work: Working from their client’s idea of an oil derrick as an icon for Southeast Texas, Wheeler and Granitz designed a more conceptual, abstracted piece that looks forward to the region’s progress instead of backward at successes of the past. Their 46-foot sculpture will be constructed of stainless steel with copper accents. The project has involved producing scale models, architectural drawings, cost estimates and budgets. They are working with architects and engineers and will work with a design crew to ensure their aesthetic vision is properly executed during construction. Their mentor, Associate Professor Kurt Dyrhaug, has provided advice, support and guidance, especially in making necessary professional contacts, throughout the process. They also have relied on the help of Professor Meredith “Butch” Jack.
Dates of Project: May 2007 to present
Faculty Mentor: Kurt Dyrhaug
David Granitz: “With this, we’re able to translate what we’ve learned in class. We were on top of it. We knew how we had to handle things to do it properly and professionally.”
Jeffrey Wheeler: “If it wasn’t for Lamar University and the close-knit community that the professors and students have, we wouldn’t have been able to even think about doing a project on this scale.”
