With thanks to a generous gift from artist and alumnus Robert Manice ‘71, The Gow School has added an intriguing sculpture to campus called All Cylinders by artist Mike Hansel. Of his art, Mike says, “My goal is to create finished compositions that leave the viewer with the comfort of familiarity and the uncertainty of not being able to truly identify or categorize any of the forms.”
The sculpture is located between the Reid Arts Center and Templeton Dormitory. Robert Manice, a noted watercolorist, became interested in adding sculpture to Gow’s campus during a visit a few years ago. Manice and Gayle Hutton (Gow’s Director of Development) traveled to several art installations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and while there, met with Mike Hansel. Hansel arranged to move the piece from Miami, Florida, and it arrived in South Wales, NY in mid-August. Bruce M. (father of Victor ’14) generously offered his time to assist in unloading and placing the piece.
All Cylinders will be on display for two years, at which time The Gow School may choose to add it to their permanent collection. Manice believes that this piece “will undoubtedly be the beginning of new and wonderful visual experiences on the campus.”
Mike Hansel, who has a B.A. from the University of Cincinnati and an M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, teaches at The St. George’s School in Newport, Rhode Island where he has been Chairman of the Art Department since 1996. His sculptures are on display at galleries, on college campuses and in art shows across the country.
