Montana-based sculptor Gareth Curtiss is concluding his live sculpting session today at the University of Idaho’s ISUB rotunda. He is creating a clay model of the university mascot, Joe Vandal, which will serve as the foundation for a future 9-foot-tall bronze statue.

Curtiss mentioned that due to the statue’s size, the bronze casting process will require him to divide it into approximately 40 to 50 pieces. After the casting, he will weld the pieces together and refine the welds to match the original design.

Throughout the past week, Curtiss has been working on the clay model in the Student Union Building, providing an opportunity for students and community members to observe his artistic process. In addition to the model for the bronze statue, which features Joe Vandal leaning against a large “I”, he has also sculpted a bust of the mascot.

His workspace in the ISUB contains the two statues, several molds, and a small oven used for warming the clay during his work. Once completed, the bronze statue is expected to be installed near the Kibbie Dome and ICCU Idaho Arena on campus. The final bronze sculpture is projected to be finished by the Fall 2025 semester.