Neil Goodman (at right) IU Northwest sculptor and art professor, and his assistant, Eric Tucker, make preparations for CCDL’s first public art project, the IUN Sculpture Garden.

Editor’s note: Chancellor Bruce Bergland’s initiative of a “Shared Vision” on the IU Northwest campus was “Today’s Feature” in the May 11, 2001, edition of “IU Home Pages.” For background on the initiative, read the feature package at this archival Web site:
http://www.homepages.indiana.edu/051101/index.html

The Center for Cultural Discovery and Learning (CCDL) and the Center for Sustainable Regional Vitality (CSRV) are taking leadership roles in establishing IU Northwest as a place for sustainable health and well-being—through academic excellence, cultural exploration and regional vitalization.

Brought to life by IUN’s “Shared Vision” collaborative effort, the centers share a commitment to nurture outstanding academic co-curricular programs and facilities. The CCDL strives to serve as the cultural heart of the northwest Indiana community, while the CSRV seeks to enhance the overall quality of life of the region.

The CSRV will facilitate community partnerships and collaboration across academic disciplines and among northwest Indiana’s six colleges and universities to enhance the quality of life in the region. The center will concentrate on developing projects that promote research, course development and service learning in five broad categories: economic development, local and regional government, nonprofit, education and social initiatives and health.

Donald Coffin, associate professor of economics at IUN, will chair the governing board of the CSRV, and Daniel Lowery, assistant professor of public and environmental affairs and executive director of the Northwest Indiana Quality of Life Council, has been newly appointed as the center’s executive director.

“These appointments are especially timely since IU Northwest has been awarded Lilly grant funding for a strategic initiative to marshal the resources of the campus toward the region’s revitalization,” said Marilyn Vasquez, interim executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.

The CCDL’s mission is to tell the story of the seven-county region of northwest Indiana through diverse perspectives and forms of expression, using traditional and new media.

Since July, Patti Lundberg has served as executive director of CCDL. A faculty member of IUN since 1989, she is an associate professor of English and women’s studies.

The CCDL is governed by a curatoriate comprised of members of the campus community and public. Working in tandem with and advising the executive director, the curatoriate helps identify and stimulate relevant research, creativity and community-based initiatives in six broad areas: art and artifacts exhibitions; education and exchange programs; humanities and cultural studies; public works commissions; research and consulting services; and theatrical and performance art.

By approaching the study of culture from multiple perspectives and across disciplines the CCDL’s curatoriate functions as “think tank,” in addition to soliciting, reviewing and selecting proposals.

The CCDL’s first public art project is the IU Northwest Sculpture Garden. Sculptor and art professor Neil Goodman, in collaboration with landscape architect Cynthia Owen-Bergland, is currently developing an ambitious sculpture garden in one of the most visible public spaces on the campus, the courtyard of the Savannah Center. Bounded by glass walls, the garden will display a series of Goodman’s monumental bronze sculptures and will extend to the grass knoll adjacent to the north end of Hawthorn Hall.

Groundbreaking ceremonies are planned this summer. When completed, the project will be one of the largest public art projects in northwest Indiana.

For more information on the sculpture garden, go to this archival HP website:
http://www.homepages.indiana.edu/011604/text/feature4.shtml