A new work of art was unveiled on the campus of Grove City College on Saturday, Oct. 5, during Homecoming weekend.
“Pythagorean π,” a 14-foot-tall cast bronze sculpture by noted artist Peter Calaboyias, now stands outside STEM Hall. The imposing artwork incorporates a circle, a triangle and an arc into which scientific symbols and images are etched. The College commissioned Calaboyias to create the sculpture to complement the newly opened science building.
Calaboyias said he took his inspiration from ancient philosophers Pythagoras and Archimedes, the divine, the space the work would be placed in, and the reason it was commissioned. The geometric shapes provide a reference to the birth of science and math while the upward reaching arc points to “God, whose wisdom and grace have animated scientist and engineers,” according to Calaboyias’ official description of the work.
The symbols represent the disciplines that make up Grove City’s Hopeman School of Science, Engineering and Math, which is now headquartered in STEM Hall. The $39.5 million science, technology, engineering and mathematics building opened in August and represents the College’s deep commitment to educating coming generations of scientists, engineers and mathematicians.
Calaboyias, a professor in the College’s Department of Music and Fine Arts, is a renowned artist best-known for his large sculptures. His most famous work is probably “Tribute,” which was commissioned for the 100th Olympics and stands in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park. Other pieces by the artist are on display regionally, nationally and internationally.
“Pythagorean π” is only the second public art work created specifically for the Grove City College campus. Calaboyias’ sculpture joins a life-size statue of J. Howard Pew, a member of the class of 1900 and major benefactor who served 40 years as president of the College’s Board of Trustees.