United Tribes Technical College students made three presentations to the Bismarck Park Board for an eagle sculpture to take its place along the Missouri River with four other public artworks that the Arts/Arts Marketing Department developed over recent years.

Instructor Wayne Pruse gave a summary of the project that will provide at least six eagle public sculptures over a six-year period at the park board's Thursday meeting.

"Here we are once again; it's been five years now," Pruse said. "Sometimes students don't see the relevance of their projects in the real world. Through this project, they see how the project can translate into a career. They learn it's easier to make small things stand up than large things."

Students learn to articulate their projects, build leadership skills and learn about compromise, Pruse said. Many of the UTTC students who have participated in the public sculpture program have found careers in the arts.

Pruse said that while UTTC staff provide direction, it's up to the students in the end, as they work with local professionals and within the constraints of a budget. He also said he believes the program has gone a long way to improve the relationship of the college with the city of Bismarck.

The three projects included:

n "The Keeper," designed by Tina Curley, Kristina Kalenze and E.J. Red Bear. The 8-foot sculpture sets on a 3-foot base and resembles a modernesque eagle with wings spread as if protecting something. It is a metal sculpture made of 18-gauge aluminum painted bronze. The estimated cost is $15,000.

"The eagle is a symbol of protection, strength and freedom," Curley said. "For this sculpture, I designed the eagle in a unique way. I chose to do a modern version of an eagle. I wanted the sculpture to look like it is a protector that signifies strength, but yet looks very sleek and smooth. I wanted the sculpture to look contemporary."

n "The Spirit Cloud," presented by Dustin Thompson and Freedom McLaughlin. It is 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide, made of steel tubing and styrofoam blocks with an epoxy coating. Total cost is expected to be $15,340.96.

"My idea is basically a storm cloud that starts as a little spirit of a buffalo. As the cloud grows, it becomes a herd of buffalo. Then the rumbling thunder begins in which the eagle begins to emerge out of the cloud and, that's when the could become a thunderstorm of spirits," McLaughlin said.

n "Watching Over You," presented by Stacey Grant and Lauren Stewart. It's a 10.5-foot-tall eagle made of steel mesh, with its wings sheltering figures representing a family that are made of concrete, rebar, styrofoam, liquid latex and plaster of paris. The estimated cost is $15,329.20.

"The meaning behind the name 'Watching Over You' is from the eagle that is in the spirit form watching, protecting and guiding over the family and the future generation of humanity," Grant said. "The eagle's wings are sheltering the family. The people themselves are abstract versions of family that represents the unity of all cultures and communities."

While the park board will make the final decision on which sculpture will be constructed this summer, the community will get an opportunity to vote on April 24 and 25. The models will be on display at Fourth Street and Broadway Avenue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The final sculpture will be located at the south entrance of Sertoma Park near the tennis courts and softball diamonds.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)