BRONZE SCULPTURE graces scenic campus spot

A sculpture of a pair of bronze Nubian nanny goats by internationally known sculptor André Harvey of Rockland, Del., is the focus of a small cul-de-sac adjoining the main walkway though the Grove, near Alison Hall. The goats–Lucinda (reclining) and Chloe (standing)–are complete with nametags and goat bells with clappers that ring. Benches complete the small retreat.

The work of art was given in memory of Peter and Graham Jefferson, the sons of Naomi and Edward Jefferson, and brothers of Charles and Andrew Jefferson and his wife, Heather.

Edward Jefferson is a longtime member of the University of Delaware Board of Trustees and is now trustee emeritus. He and Naomi, his wife, donated the Jefferson Organ at Bayard Sharp Hall. The sculpture is the gift of the Graham Foundation, founded by the Jefferson family.

"We are pleased to have this opportunity to add to the beauty of the University of Delaware campus," Andrew Jefferson, AS '90, said. "Our family is familiar with André Harvey's sculptures of animals, and we fell in love with the delightful sculpture of the Nubian goats. We felt the sculpture would make a lovely addition to the campus in a peaceful setting that faculty and students could enjoy.

"From the beginning, David Roselle encouraged and helped us with this project, and it was a privilege to have this opportunity. Tom Taylor and his staff did an outstanding job of creating the setting and installing the sculpture," he said.Harvey has been working as a sculptor for 30 years and is known for his highly realistic bronze sculptures of animals and people. He actually creates portraits in bronze and carefully researches his subjects, even flying to a remote island in the Pacific to study endangered Hawaiian monk seals.

According to Harvey, goats have a special capacity for friendship and companionship and their "distinct personalities and peculiarities along with their fickleness and delightful individualism give them character and makes us like them." The real Lucinda and Chloe live in a barnyard with other goats, chickens and a cat in rural Pennsylvania. Harvey made clay "sketches" of them with some difficulty because they chewed on his sculpting stand and ate his pencil sketches.

A graduate of the University of Virginia and a fellow of the national Sculpture Society in New York, Harvey has had his work exhibited here and abroad, and his sculptures are in numerous private and public collections throughout the United States and the world.