“Portal,” the name of a sculpture created and donated to Trent University by Canadian artist and Trent University alumnus David James ‘68, was installed on the east bank of the Otonabee River on Symons Campus on Tuesday, December 20, 2011.

“Trent University is very grateful to David James for the generous donation of his sculpture,” said Julie Davis, vice-president External Relations and Advancement at Trent University, “and to the many community partners who have spent a great deal of time and effort in bringing this piece of art to our campus. This stunning work will add an additional dimension to the unique architecture of the Peterborough campus.”

Designated a significant cultural property by Canadian Heritage, Portal is made of Belfast black granite from Zimbabwe and weighs in at 6,000 pounds, standing almost six feet high and seven feet across, (H. 77” x L. 95.25” x W. 26.5”).

Trent University gratefully acknowledges the generous support of local community businesses such as Geo-Logic Incorporated, who helped prepare the site; Royden Moran, who contributed architectural design for the base; Drain Brothers for construction of the base, excavation and gravel; Dan Sims Concrete for the form and concrete; Doughty Aggregates for transportation from Bloomfield to Peterborough; Petes Crane in Belleville and Redpath Crane Services in Peterborough for lifting Portal and putting it in place.  Special thanks also go to adjunct professor Andy Mitchell for facilitating the donation of services.

The location of the sculpture is on the slope between Peter Gzowski College and the Chemical Sciences Building overlooking Warren Garden and the Otonabee River. A companion piece by the same name but made of glass will find its home inside the Bata Library.

Canadian artist David James ’68 creates luminous sculptures cast in glass and bold exterior works carved in stone that often incorporate stainless steel. His sculptures have received international recognition and garnered a number of important awards. A cast glass work merited The Museum of Art and Design Award (formerly the Museum of Contemporary Craft, New York City) at an international invitational exhibition held by Habatat Galleries, Detroit. His large-scale granite sculptures received a People’s Choice award at the sculpture garden at le Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise in Dunham, Québec.