REAL TOOLS

John Ireland Blvd & Marshall Ave. St. Paul Technical College Campus, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
1992

Steel, tools, Mankato stone, concrete, bronze, handmade ceramic tile.
17' h x 35' w x 50' d

Commissioned by Minnesota State Arts Board.
De-accessed in 2015.

This project was located within the Capitol Mall approach and was designed as a gateway to St. Paul Technical College. The sculpture celebrates work and is a monument to the trades housed at the College. It also provided a pedestrian seating area along this boulevard, which links the historic St. Paul Cathedral with the State Capitol. The illuminated gateway arch frames St. Paul Technical College and is one of the earliest examples of lighting placed within the interior of a sculpture as an integral part of the concept. The lighting fixtures within the arch are an essential part of the sculpture during the day.

Photo Credit: Barbara Grygutis