New Yosef Statue Erected at Plemmons Student Union
April 24th, 2023
BOONE, NC - Sculptor Phil Thomas collaborated with Chancellor Everts to create a Romanesque statueof the beloved Mountaineer mascot.
“I understand that mental health is a big issue with this generation and especially in this location with harsh winters,” states Thomas. “I’ve heard about romanticizing life from my grandkids who are in college and thought it would be a great idea to put up a romantic statue of Yosef to help students romanticize their lives. I wan…” the artist apologizes, wipes away tears, and laughingly remarks how he told himself he wouldn’t get emotional.
He continues, nearly strangled with emotion, “I wanted the piece to remind students to romanticize the little things, because sometimes, especially when it’s this cold, it gets hard to keep it up.”
He urges students not to, “Shrink up and hide away. Be you! Be proud! Stand out!” he says.
Thomas has titled the statue Upward to reflect this sentiment.
The sculptor expresses plans to create a collection of what he has coined 'neo-er classical' statues on campus.
“I’d like to do the founder, Dr. Dougherty, for sure. Then maybe some other faculty members who contributed to App State’s history. Like Anne Belk. Anne Belk would be phenomenal to sculpt, she was such a powerful lady. However my biggest dream is to make a massive fountain, just in the middle of campus, and have it be filled with these beautiful nude Roman statues of people who have said ‘I’m grabbing life by the horn, and I’m going to make a change’ and have that there for students to look up to everyday. Well, that and communal toilets are my dream.”
Thomas is currently running a special on family portrait sculptures.
“They make a great lawn decoration.” He says, “People come over for barbecues, and are always asking me where I got mine, and why I have it and such. It’s great!”
Details can be found on his website, vvv.venividisculpti.com.
Thomas will provide lockers and a cloth to drape over your arm while you pose. A gift shop is located on property with miniatures of his works, including Upward.
“I understand that mental health is a big issue with this generation and especially in this location with harsh winters,” states Thomas. “I’ve heard about romanticizing life from my grandkids who are in college and thought it would be a great idea to put up a romantic statue of Yosef to help students romanticize their lives. I wan…” the artist apologizes, wipes away tears, and laughingly remarks how he told himself he wouldn’t get emotional.
He continues, nearly strangled with emotion, “I wanted the piece to remind students to romanticize the little things, because sometimes, especially when it’s this cold, it gets hard to keep it up.”
He urges students not to, “Shrink up and hide away. Be you! Be proud! Stand out!” he says.
Thomas has titled the statue Upward to reflect this sentiment.
The sculptor expresses plans to create a collection of what he has coined 'neo-er classical' statues on campus.
“I’d like to do the founder, Dr. Dougherty, for sure. Then maybe some other faculty members who contributed to App State’s history. Like Anne Belk. Anne Belk would be phenomenal to sculpt, she was such a powerful lady. However my biggest dream is to make a massive fountain, just in the middle of campus, and have it be filled with these beautiful nude Roman statues of people who have said ‘I’m grabbing life by the horn, and I’m going to make a change’ and have that there for students to look up to everyday. Well, that and communal toilets are my dream.”
Thomas is currently running a special on family portrait sculptures.
“They make a great lawn decoration.” He says, “People come over for barbecues, and are always asking me where I got mine, and why I have it and such. It’s great!”
Details can be found on his website, vvv.venividisculpti.com.
Thomas will provide lockers and a cloth to drape over your arm while you pose. A gift shop is located on property with miniatures of his works, including Upward.