On October 2, 2010, Jennifer, a part-time English faculty from 1995-2007, and her husband Fred Bagley introduced Castleton University to Mandala II, a sculpture created by Paul Calter in 1991.
An active painter and sculptor since 1968, Calter creates large sculptures inspired by mathematics out of steel and stone. Along with the green space in front of the Campus Center, his work can be found on the Vermont Technical College campus, the grounds of Gifford Medical Center, and in the gardens of the Vermont State House.
Recently the location surrounding the Mandala has undergone a much-needed renovation. Replacing the failing slate wall with sturdy stone pavers, local landscaper Jeff Brown was able to recreate the original feel of the winding walkway while also creating a new path that invites one to the sculpture from the Campus Center side.
“Now, the Mandala is something that every student walks by,” Jennifer said. “But what the students might not know is that the Mandala is an interactive sculpture, and the marble centerpiece turns.”
“The artist himself told us to think of it like a lazy Susan,” Bagley continued, “While no one should sit on the Mandala, if you were having lunch on the new wall and your friend sitting across from you needed the ketchup, you could gently spin it to them using the sculpture.”
The Bagley’s encourage everyone to take advantage of the green space and stop by to give the Mandala a spin when the weather permits.