Wildcat Statue

Matthew Gray Palmer, 2018

On April 19^th, 2018, the wildcat statue was officially unveiled and President Gayle Hutchinson proclaimed each year the third Thursday in April, would be celebrated as Wildcat Spirit Day. Generously funded by the Associated Students, Alumni Association, Athletics, and the University Foundation (without the use of state funds or student fees), the project began in 2010 when students advocated for a wildcat statue as a symbol to promote school spirit characterized by respect, confidence, and commitment. Following a nationwide search, world-class wildlife artist Matthew Gray Palmer was selected to create the statue and production activities began in the fall of 2017.

The statue depicts Lynx rufus californicus, the native bobcat, in a natural environment.

"The degree of symbolism in my work varies from piece to piece. I find that the most interesting images are ambiguous by nature and therefore replete with a personal symbolism for any one individual viewer’s interpretation. Although I work in a variety of styles, each piece is manifest from a unified intention and process of seeing." Matthew Gray Palmer

For more information about the artist, please visit his website at www.matthewgraypalmer.com(opens in new window).