I was working on a writing project recently that took me to 1400 East and Presidents Circle so I decided to check out the permanent art installation called Extended Vision by noted artist Anna Campbell Bliss located inside the Cowles Math Building. I’d seen it before, several years ago—and loved it. These are groupings of 18″ x 18″ anodized aluminum plates, layer-etched black and screen printed, that engage the mind. Each montage explores the connections between math and art through perspectives ranging from architecture and nature to outer space and early navigation. I was hoping there would be benches to sit on since each grouping requires attention and time to appreciate. Like a mandala, there’s a lot to take in. But much to my disappointment, the hallways were so dark I couldn’t even see the work. Then I remembered I’d had the same experience the first time I saw it. How can something this amazing not be properly lit? I understand the math department is more than aware of this and has repeatedly asked for funding in its budget to cover the cost—around $10,000—but so far, no luck. The other problem is that the math building itself doesn’t get much foot traffic—so unless you work there or have classes inside, I’m not sure who will see this amazing contribution of work. I would hope that other like-minded campus groups—like the art department and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts—would take this on and, if not help get the lighting installed, at least help spread the word about the plight and encourage art lovers to visit the exhibit. It’s a leisurely 15-minute walk north from the museum to the Cowles Building on Presidents Circle. Bring a flashlight.

U students among the fall trees. Photo courtesy of Lawrence Boye.

I’ve always loved the fact that the campus serves as the arboretum for the state of Utah—more than 200 different species from what I’ve heard. And early May is the time I like to get out and walk around to check on the trees—see how they survived winter. The giant ginko outside my office—Building 124 (also affectionately known as “the shed” and for some, even more affectionately known as South Park)—is one of my favorites. Although it’s not native to this region, they say the ginko has been around since the dinosaurs roamed the earth, making it one of the oldest species extant. The scalloped leaves are amazing with the veins spreading out from one source at the base of the stem—like a fan. I like to gather a few from the grass to have on my desk. Then just down the hill in Cottam’s Gulch near University Street are some of the oldest trees on campus. The Giant sequoia there is more than 100 years old and has been struck by lightning more than once but it still stands tall and hasn’t given up. And under the spread of the nearby Japanese zelkova is a perfect spot to eat a peanut butter and jam sandwich and read a few pages from the latest New Yorker. Then there’s the Atlas cedar over by the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Its sage blue color and graceful shape are so appealing! And on the knoll just south of the Skaggs Biology Building, the eastern redbuds have that amazing magenta flower that grows not only on the branches, but burls right out of the trunk. A splendid sign of spring.

Finally! The Park Building’s transformation is complete. The chain-link fence with it’s dark green curtain (with no peep holes) that kept us all feeling left out is down, the teams of workers in their bright neon vests climbing up and down the scaffolding—and the scaffolding itself—are gone, the trucks with their incessant beeping as they went in reverse have moved out, and once again—after one year—we can walk in front of the Park Building without detouring down and around the renovation site. The installation of a new sprinkling system followed by rolls of green sod were the first clues that the project was coming to a close. And just today, the orange cones—the last vestiges of the project— were removed, silently inviting all of us to resume our previous path to and fro. The exterior is looking mighty fresh (it reminds me of how I felt when I saw the Utah State Capitol for the first time when it reopened after its four-year renovation) and the new copper trim on the roof gleams in the sun. Rocky Park has never looked better and is back in place guarding the front door. The Park is a beauty—although I must confess I miss the pink-blossomed trees that used to line the base of the building. (I was told the University didn’t save them because they didn’t fit the historic look of the building.) So now we have a four-foot wide border of—rocks. But no matter. She does look lovely—and just in time for Commencement.