Chadron State College has installed a striking new permanent outdoor sculpture called "Field Work(s)" near its Math Science Center of Innovative Learning in late July. The installation represents a significant addition to the campus's artistic landscape and fulfills Nebraska's state requirement that one percent of construction funding for certain capital projects must be allocated to public art initiatives.

Renowned sculptor Adam Kuby designed the innovative artwork specifically to capture both the spirit of scientific inquiry and field research that are fundamental to CSC's mathematics and science departments, while also celebrating the distinctive topography of western Nebraska. "A college campus offers a special opportunity to engage with students and faculty and to reflect the excitement of learning," Kuby explained. He emphasized his methodical approach to creating site-specific art, stating, "I like to immerse myself in a place—its history, human activity, flora, and fauna—before creating."

Kuby strategically envisioned the hillside installation site as an ideal setting for hands-on field studies across multiple scientific disciplines, including geology, paleontology, and biology. For the sculpture's construction, he deliberately selected weathering steel due to its distinctive earthy surface texture and its exceptional ability to be formed into the organic, flowing shapes he had conceptualized for the project.

The artistic installation consists of three separate sculptural elements positioned thoughtfully on the hillside immediately west of the Center of Innovative Learning, integrated seamlessly with the winding sidewalk that curves up the hill. Each individual sculpture features regionally significant shapes and patterns carefully cut into the weathering steel, including detailed plant specimens from the High Plains Herbarium, a cross-sectional view of the Ogallala aquifer stratigraphy, and authentic bone formations from the historically significant Hudson-Meng bison archaeological site.

The ambitious project began its development process two years ago with an extensive proposal and selection procedure. "Field Work(s)" will now join Kuby's impressive portfolio of public sculptures that have been installed at colleges, parks, airports, bridges, and urban cityscapes throughout the United States. A formal public unveiling ceremony for "Field Work(s)" is currently being planned for the upcoming fall semester, while the artwork is already open for public viewing. Final landscaping touches are also being carefully planned through collaboration between Kuby and the CSC grounds maintenance staff to ensure the sculpture integrates harmoniously with its natural surroundings.