University of Central Arkansas Professor Bryan Massey unveils “Otis,” a scaled model of a 15-foot-long, eight-foot-wide steel bear that will hang on the side of Donaghey Hall. President Tom Courtway smiles in the background.
The University of Central Arkansas unveiled a scaled model of a new bear that will be included in the design of the new Donaghey Hall.
Introduced by sculptor and university professor, Bryan Massey, “Otis” will hang from the side of Donaghey Hall once the building is completed.
Named for Massey’s favorite character on the ‘60s sitcom, “The Andy Griffith Show,” Otis will be 15 feet long, eight feet wide and weigh approximately 3,000 pounds. The sculpture will be made of stainless steel.
“I feel like it is going to be a landmark piece for Donaghey Hall and for the campus. It’s going to be a unique piece of sculpture not only for UCA but for the city of Conway,” Massey told the crowd of faculty, staff and students who turned out to see the model.
“Otis is going to be very special. A lot of people are going to want to take a picture of Otis,” said Massey.
Donaghey Hall is the mixed-use 67,500-square-foot, four-story building under construction at the intersection of Bruce Street and Donaghey Avenue.
“To his credit and even though he’ll never accept it, Donaghey Hall and the formation of the Donaghey District was the brainchild of President [Tom] Courtway. The ultimate purpose behind this effort is to make things personal. That is, to make the space and the experience of that space have significance and meaning. Donaghey Hall is the university’s first step in this endeavor,” said TJ Johnston, director of special university projects. “The commissioned art piece for Donaghey Hall is something we hope the public will enjoy. Hopefully, ‘Otis’ is the first of many installations throughout the Donaghey District.”
The university broke ground on Donaghey Hall in April 2015. It will be open in fall 2016.
