Tigers' adoption maarks end of student art project
By: Courtney Hime
Issue date: 2/2/07 Section: News
Six of the 15 tigers that were displayed around campus last semester have been auctioned off and relocated by their new owners.
The tigers, which were part of a large-scale effort to get students excited about campus art and promote tiger pride, were placed with new owners throughout January. Student Arts Council member Lindsay Bartlett, a senior, and Coordinator of Arts Publicity and Marketing Gigi Felon took in proposals for the tigers' new locations throughout November. They made their final decisions at the end of the first semester.
"Once we got all of the applications in, Gigi and I met and discussed where we thought it would be best for all the tigers to be, and where would exude the most Tiger pride of DePauw," Bartlett said. "Because of the structure of the tigers, we also had to make sure that where people wanted them would be safe and hopefully would be inside."
Despite more than 20 proposals for new locations, only six of the 15 tigers were given away. Bartlett explained that due to vandalism and weathering, the remaining nine would not have been in the best condition for adoption.
"It would have been too much money for the new owner to put in to try to restore the tiger," she said.
The tigers' relocation brings to a close the project that started with ArtsFest 2006. Bartlett, who has been the student contact for the project, was happy with the reception that the tigers received.
"I'm really proud of DePauw for stepping up," she said. "This is the first time we've ever done something like this, and people took it with open arms. There were some problems, but overall I'm really proud."
Mary Bretscher, associate athletic director, helped the Lilly Center acquire the United DePauw tiger, which is now on display on the main floor of Lilly. She said she requested a tiger to help continue to spread tiger pride, particularly for DePauw's athletics.
"One of the ways that we plan to use the tiger is to dress it with appropriate apparel or equipment for whatever our upcoming home events are and then place a sign by the tiger indicating the time of that event," Bretscher said. "For example, for a home swim meet, the tiger would wear a cap and goggles."
Professor of biology Chet Fornari was influential in acquiring a tiger for the biology department. Fornari said he appreciated the project's intent and the work put into decorating the tigers.
"Each one was distinctive and attractive in its own way, yet they all seemed to fit in so well with the campus surroundings," Fornari said. "When I heard that they were being collected and dispersed to inside or more protected locations, I figured that a proper home for a tiger would be a biology building."
The tigers, which were part of a large-scale effort to get students excited about campus art and promote tiger pride, were placed with new owners throughout January. Student Arts Council member Lindsay Bartlett, a senior, and Coordinator of Arts Publicity and Marketing Gigi Felon took in proposals for the tigers' new locations throughout November. They made their final decisions at the end of the first semester.
"Once we got all of the applications in, Gigi and I met and discussed where we thought it would be best for all the tigers to be, and where would exude the most Tiger pride of DePauw," Bartlett said. "Because of the structure of the tigers, we also had to make sure that where people wanted them would be safe and hopefully would be inside."
Despite more than 20 proposals for new locations, only six of the 15 tigers were given away. Bartlett explained that due to vandalism and weathering, the remaining nine would not have been in the best condition for adoption.
"It would have been too much money for the new owner to put in to try to restore the tiger," she said.
The tigers' relocation brings to a close the project that started with ArtsFest 2006. Bartlett, who has been the student contact for the project, was happy with the reception that the tigers received.
"I'm really proud of DePauw for stepping up," she said. "This is the first time we've ever done something like this, and people took it with open arms. There were some problems, but overall I'm really proud."
Mary Bretscher, associate athletic director, helped the Lilly Center acquire the United DePauw tiger, which is now on display on the main floor of Lilly. She said she requested a tiger to help continue to spread tiger pride, particularly for DePauw's athletics.
"One of the ways that we plan to use the tiger is to dress it with appropriate apparel or equipment for whatever our upcoming home events are and then place a sign by the tiger indicating the time of that event," Bretscher said. "For example, for a home swim meet, the tiger would wear a cap and goggles."
Professor of biology Chet Fornari was influential in acquiring a tiger for the biology department. Fornari said he appreciated the project's intent and the work put into decorating the tigers.
"Each one was distinctive and attractive in its own way, yet they all seemed to fit in so well with the campus surroundings," Fornari said. "When I heard that they were being collected and dispersed to inside or more protected locations, I figured that a proper home for a tiger would be a biology building."
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