Artist Garry Bibbs Dedicates Humanity’s High Hurdle
Erie, PA – Erie Art Museum is excited to announce that the sculpture Humanity’s High Hurdle was moved to its new home at the Erie Center for Arts and Technology (ECAT) on Saturday, March 22, 2025. This piece was part of an exhibition titled Ole’ Say Can We See, a life survey of Garry R. Bibbs, a sculptor, printmaker, and professor from the University of Kentucky. The show ran from June 2022 through February 2023 in the Museum’s Main Gallery. Humanity’s High Hurdle has lived at the entrance to the Erie Art Museum on the Peter and Dana Zaphiris Family Patio since the exhibition's close. The sculpture is part of EAM’s permanent collection but is on a long-term loan to ECAT.
Bibbs often works with the theme of humanity, as he believes we are all here to look out for and serve each other. In this sculpture, the ladder forms symbolize hope for a future and adventure in the journey. Although there are hurdles to overcome, victories over these hurdles provide a shared sense of accomplishment.
Students from ECAT prepared the concrete base for Humanity’s High Hurdle in preparation for this move. ECAT's Construction Trades Supervisor, Courtney Wyatt, said, "Involving the Construction Trades students was a valuable experience. Not only did they gain hands-on construction skills, but it gave students a sense of pride, knowing their efforts contributed to a meaningful community project. By taking part, they strengthened their bond with the community."
"ECAT is proud to host Gary Bibb's sculpture. The theme of the piece captures ECAT's mission—to instill the belief that all people are assets. This sculpture is like an anthem: At our school, we're going to face our hurdles together," reflected Jude Shingle, ECAT Deputy Director.
“The Museum is thrilled to acquire this work of art and to share it with the Erie community,” stated Laura Domencic, EAM Executive Director, and she added, “We are also honored to host Professor Bibbs in June 2025 for a workshop with ECAT students.” The sculpture will be dedicated to its new home on June 26, 2025 at 2 pm.
