Hidden Treasures: Drexel’s Outdoor Public Art

"Two Open Triangles Leaning Gyratory" by George Rickey.
"Two Open Triangles Leaning Gyratory" by George Rickey.

Sure, everyone knows about Drexel University’s Mario the Magnificent statue located at the corner of 33rd and Market streets. But have you ever looked across the street at the kinetic sculpture on top of the Hagerty Library? Or ventured north one block and admired the two sculptures in front of the Drexel Recreation Center and the one behind Nesbitt Hall?

There are plenty of these public art hidden treasures scattered around Drexel’s University City Campus — you just have to know where to look, or know what you’re looking at.

Read more about the public artworks on campus — and what they look like, and where to find them. The below statues are listed in order of a walking tour starting at the Bossone Courtyard and ending outside of North Hall.

"Drexel Clock" by the Verdin Company.

Drexel Clock

"Anthony J. Drexel (1826-1893)" by Moses Jacob Ezekiel.

Anthony J. Drexel (1826-1893)

  • Moses Jacob Ezekiel, 1904
  • Bronze, marble
  • Marks and Inscriptions: Signature, signed and inscribed “Rome”
  • Location: Outside of Gerri C. LeBow Hall, 3200 Market St.
"Mario the Magnificent" by Eric Berg.

Mario the Magnificent

  • Eric Berg, 2002
  • Bronze
  • Location: Corner of 33rd and Market streets
"Two Open Triangles Leaning Gyratory" by George Rickey.

Two Open Triangles Leaning Gyratory

  • George Rickey, 1984
  • Stainless steel
  • Location: On top of Hagerty Library, 3300 Market St.
"Momentum" by Michael Speller.

Momentum

  • Michael Speller, 2011
  • Bronze
  • Location: Outside of the Drexel Recreation Center, 3301 Market St.
"Balanced Split Disks" by Paul Sisko.

Balanced Split Disks

  • Paul Sisko, 1993
  • Steel, welded
  • Location: Behind Nesbitt Hall, 3215 Market St.
"Running Free" by Henry Mitchell.

Running Free

  • Henry Mitchell, 1975
  • Bronze
  • Location: Outside of the Drexel Recreation Center, 3301 Market St.
"Drexel Book" by Harold Kimmelman.

Drexel Book

  • Harold Kimmelman, 1986
  • Polished stainless steel, black granite
  • Location: Rush Alumni Garden
"Bench Form" by Thomas Sternal.

Bench Form

  • Thomas Sternal, 1996
  • Marble, granite
  • Location: Race Street Lawn across from the Northside Dining Terrace, 203 N. 34th St.
"Flame of Knowledge Fountain" by Sherl Joseph Winter.

Flame of Knowledge Fountain

This story was published in the summer 2019 issue of Drexel Quarterly.