What will the New Year Bring?

Happy 2012. It looks as though a couple of folks have stopped by to see the latest on the Bear Totem Project. The most recent news is that the new VP of Alumni Affairs, Vicki Gorrell, has responded to Lynn Karowsky's eloquent letter asking for the Alumni Office to move forward with my offer to install my "ReInCairnation of Totem Teddy" on the campus with some issue with planning. The term "ReInCairnation" was Lynn's idea. I like it.

As you may remember with my Ghost Memory Totem that came down in 2008, my work is ephemeral in nature and, as far as I'm concerned shall remain ephemeral. We are, after all, all of us... just passing through. As the idea currently stands, it will be a cairn of about 520 2 x 6 x 1.5 wooden blocks stacked in tiers of five blocks each that will rise thirteen feet high. Ideally, the sculpture will be placed on the same spot that the original Totem Teddy stood when I first met it in 1946, just south of Hi Bridge between what was then BruInn (now Gray Hall and the Norton Theatre) and Gunter Hall.

All we really need is access to the site and the cooperation of the UNC facilities department. Ideally, there will be a small concrete base to secure the wooden blocks for safety's sake, though I'd love to have the cairn be a free standing structure.

Also, ideally, the image of the Bear himself will be somehow inscribed on the edges of the top tiers of the cairn (approximately three feet of space, starting ten feet from the ground.)

I perceive this installation as ephemeral because, as was the original Totem Teddy, this piece will be made of wood, open to the elements and will, in time deteriorate. If someone... a student or Greeley resident or faculty person is somehow inspired, as I was, to appreciate the Bear Tradition, perhaps, in the future, they will be responsible for another tribute to the Bear Totem: Totem Teddy.

I am trying to understand why this simple donation to my alma mater (my nurtuing mother) won't be welcomed with open arms. It's a gift. Simply, a gift.

If you support this idea? Please contact VP of Alumni Affairs Vicki Gorrell and President Kay Norton at the University of Northern Colorado and express your support. I'd like to make this donation before climbing a ladder becomes problematic for me!

Michael Sheehan
CSC 1963

Sharon Doubiago's Birthday!

Most of you may not know the writings of Sharon Doubiago. She is a prolific California author, poet, activist. She writes from the depth of herself and I'm happy to consider her a friend. I'm wishing Sharon a Happy Birthday here just to have it on line and to have something new for folks in Greeley to read. I wonder if any of her books are in the Michener?

I know that there are problems facing the campus recently. Changes and some bad stuff. Sure hope that by now those issues have been resolved.

If anyone is interested in another part of my life, I review local theatre here in the Los Angeles area at www.onstagelosangeles.blogspot.com

Meanwhile, we wait to hear from the Alumni Relations folks in the Judy Farr Center and hope for a trip to Greeley later in the year to install the artwork.

Michael
CSC '63

Spring Art?

The first of May I'll have a piece in the Benefit Auction for the LA Municipal Art Gallery. It's an honor to be included. Having heard from UNC just before all the basketball action was taking place I'd been hopeful that there may be some activity that would invite me to Greeley to find a spot and install my ReIncairnation of Totem Teddy. I've been busy with other stuff and have no idea what the climate is there now.. (I hear it's summer one day and snow the next lately?)

So.. this is just a little boost to the blog hoping that some magical awakening will happen and I'll be in Greeley when it's warm and sunny to make my contribution to the campus tradition.

Michael Sheehan

Big Time Basketball

Here's to the Bears! Going to 'the Show' is an honor you've earned. Next Year!

best wishes,
Michael Sheehan
CSC '63

A New Year: 2011

I just found emails with 'anonymous' entries responding to this blog. The posts sound like someone who is fond of alma mater, but resents my quest to revive the past. If this person is in favor of the restoration of Totem Teddy, and it did sound that they might be, then it would be good to be open about who they are and if they are willing to be an advocate for the project.

I understand that there are 21st Century traditions that students who graduate from UNC will treasure. I hope that they will become advocates for their 'stuff' as I am an advocate for mine. I have no intention to demean anyone's idea of what a good memory of college life is like. That I want to remind all Bears where their totem came from.. their mascot... my mascot.. Totem Teddy is simply that. It is my intention to advocate for one of the first traditions that students rallied around almost a hundred years ago.

So.. This is not an 'us vs. them' routine. There is no us nor them. As far as I'm concerned it's only us: UNC Bears! That I have tunnel vision for this important project is only because my relationship with the Bear Totem is over sixty years old and has deep meaning for me.

All I want to do is revive the Bear Totem on campus and hope that current students and those students who may never have seen the original totem may have the opportunity to embrace this my recreation of this iconic figure. My artwork (see previous posts) will be a new totem. Hopefully, it will pique the interest of current students as well as alumni. It is not to replace anything, it is to awaken the Greeley campus to one specific thing that turned the 'Teachers' into The Bears!

All anyone has to do is to pledge support and I'll do the rest. All are welcome.

At least this 'anonymous' poster didn't say that college students today don't have time to deal with non-representational art! Thanks for your interest.

And, if I am ever in Greeley for any of the activities that Anonymous mentions, I'll be happy to participate.

Michael Sheehan

Here's to the Class of 1960!

How great to see that the old alma mater has reinstated the Homecoming Parade! Congratulations to all who see that Tradition is the mordant that truly binds us together. The Class of '60 welcomed my Class of '63 with our Freshman beanies and learning the history of UNC from our Student Handbooks. Homecoming marked the day we could remove our beanies and become full on members of the Student Body. The Class of 1960 was, perhaps, the last class to see Totem Teddy in his honored space between Gunter Hall and Bru-Inn. It was the men of that class who dominated
Hi Bridge and were the envy of us Frosh. We looked forward to the day when we could form a gauntlet for the new Freshman women to run.

Simple times.. good memories! Now.. thanks to Solomon Little Owl of the Native American Students Organization for his pledge of support to restore The Bear Totem to the UNC campus. Hopefully some of the Fifty Year Classmates will sign on as well. That you returned to campus for Homecoming is heartening. We need your support! Not money.. just your voices.. It is time to Restore the Bear Totem!!

Go Bears!!

INCHING THROUGH WIDE STREETS?

Bears and Others who care:

Below is a brief email exchange that I've just had with Michael Johnson, VP of Alumni Affairs at the University of Northern Colorado. He is a thoughtful guy, but is somewhat limited in his ability to Green Light a project. Of course, the former VP, Jerrold De Witt, was able to land a stuffed bear for display in the University Center, apparently, on his own.. so.. power may be fleeting. This is not to criticize Mr. Johnson. It's just to state facts as I understand them. If there is a way to move my idea forward, I am pretty sure that he will be interested in helping.

See below.. Please read from bottom to top.

Michael..

Good that there may be new traditions.. Especially, in music, which I know means a lot to you.

The politics of art is what we're discussing. What's appropriate and what's not.

I've said many times in the past that I support a replica of Totem Teddy for campus and have also declared that it seems to me that my tribute would not be an 'either/or' situation. If there are actual people on campus discussing a replica I would like to meet with them. I have made suggestions for a bronze as well as for a carved totem. It would be nice to be included in those discussions as I have been the voice in the wilderness. or so it seems.. on this idea. I have names and addresses of artists who have the ability to create the representational type of project you mention traditionally or in a modern way in bronze.

My desire to contribute to my alma mater is a strong one.
Sixty-four years ago this month I spent my first days in a classroom there. Fifty-one years ago I began my college career there. I grew up in Greeley.. I love my history there. I love my long connection with Totem Teddy.

That there have been Philistines like Jerrold DeWitt who have essentially ridiculed my efforts has only made my desire to be involved in restoring this important tradition even stronger. I should not gloat at DeWitt's demise, but it seems that his tastes and desires got him where he is today.

I have the support of folks on campus. I will fund the project with no monetary support from UNC. Though I'd love to have my installation where I first saw Totem Teddy, just to the south and west of Bru-Inn, I have other sites that I'll be happy to consider.

It's so simple. Really. Just do what Bryan Stuart did for me twenty years ago and what Ken McConnellogue did for me in 2003. Just be open and accepting of an idea that can only present opportunities in a positive way for discussion of the importance of tradition and art on the UNC campus.

Please just help me.

Michael Sheehan
CSC '63
818 244 9939



--- On Mon, 9/27/10, Johnson, Michael wrote:


From: Johnson, Michael

Date: Monday, September 27, 2010, 4:58 PM

Michael...sorry to have missed your recent email. Thanks for your well wishes of me and my recent anniversary. We are "knee deep" into Homecoming planning and very excited about a new opportunity to showcase our stellar music ensembles while honoring our alumni. If we're as fortunate to live up to its name...Spectacular...then maybe we have a fighting chance of continuing and possibly creating an entertaining annual tradition, should we be so fortunate.

I'm copying Nina Smith, Director of Development for the College of Performing and Visual Arts. She could share the recent gift acceptance policy and gifts of such art that you've attached. I'm not entirely certain what has to happen in receiving and accepting gifts such as yours at the present.

As you know, we have continued interest toward a Totem Teddy gracing our campus once again. There are several campus folk involved in the current discussion, with hopes of bringing back an exact replica to campus. Please share your latest thoughts to gaining traction on this project...as I know you've felt for some time there was little interest in regaining this to grace our campus again.

My best...Michael J-

________________________________

From: Michael
Sent: Mon 9/27/2010 5:08 PM
To: Johnson, Michael
Subject: You know what...


Michael.. tried to write to you recently and am not sure the email sent.

What do I have to do to gift UNC with my artwork?

Hope you had a good anniversary and that Homecoming is spectacular.

best wishes,
Michael Sheehan