Artwork copyright Steve Gardner. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Steve Gardner. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Steve Gardner. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Steve Gardner. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Steve Gardner. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Steve Gardner. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Steve Gardner. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Three Allegories of Learning; Making Sense, 2007

Steve Gardner
American (born 1968)

Location: Yakima Valley College, Yakima

About the Artwork

Artist Steve Gardner's terracotta relief sculptures are based on the three allegories of learning: "El Abrecaminos," "The Torch," and "The Garden." "El Abrecaminos" (center) translates to "one who opens the way, one who makes way where there is no way." This idea relates to the many Mexican immigrants who have come to the Yakima Valley to open a way for themselves and their children – but also to all the college students who are paving the way to their future. "The Torch" (left) and "The Garden" (right) are based on myths and metaphors about the importance of knowledge, growth, risk, patience, and self-initiative. All three sculptures feature the Yakima landscape of Central Washington. The artwork includes twenty-four cast glass panels on the nearby exterior windows. They feature formulas, quotes, and images that the artist developed with the Yakima Valley College instructors, related to the various disciplines taught at the college. The glass panels also include patterns from nature in the Yakima Valley such as Ponderosa pine bark and basalt rock textures.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Yakima Valley College.

About the Artist

Seattle-based artist Steve Gardner creates relief and free-standing sculptures out of architectural terra cotta clay and other materials. His artworks often focus on the human figure, surface pattern, and a sense of story.
Gardner received his Bachelor of Arts degree in art and biology from St. Olaf College in Minnesota and his Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from Central Washington University in Ellensburg.