On Watch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids On Watch |
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| Artist | David M. Wanner |
| Year | 1990 |
| Dimensions | 190 cm × 170 cm × 86 cm (74 in × 65 in × 34 in) |
| Location | 6680 North Teutonia, Milwaukee |
| 43°8′18.825″N 87°57′13.209″W / 43.13856250°N 87.95366917°W | |
| Owner | Administered by the City of Milwaukee |
On Watch is a cool public sculpture created by American artist David M. Wanner. You can find it at the Fire and Police Safety Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. This life-size sculpture is made of bronze. It shows a police officer and a firefighter working together, holding a child they have rescued.
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What is the "On Watch" Sculpture?
The "On Watch" sculpture is a life-size artwork made from bronze. It features three figures: a police officer, a firefighter, and a child. The police officer and firefighter stand back-to-back. They are holding a child who is wrapped in a blanket.
What do the inscriptions on the sculpture mean?
You can find some words carved into the sculpture. On one side, it says "WANNER 90." This tells us the artist's last name and the year it was made. On another side, it says "WACO FDR."
There is also a special bronze plaque on the concrete base. It says: "On Watch/ Dedicated to the guardians of public safety in the city of Milwaukee John Norquist, mayor Milwaukee Art Commission, David M. Wanner Sculptor 1990." This means the sculpture honors the police and firefighters who keep Milwaukee safe. The City of Milwaukee takes care of this artwork.
How Was the "On Watch" Sculpture Created?
In the early 1970s, an old high school building in Milwaukee was turned into a modern training center. This center was for the city's police officers and firefighters. Because it was a new public building, it qualified for Milwaukee's Percent for Art program. This program sets aside a small part of a building's budget to create public art.
Choosing the Artist for the Sculpture
The Milwaukee Arts Commission held two competitions to choose an artist for the sculpture. After the first competition, some artists felt the rules had changed unfairly. So, a second competition was held. David M. Wanner won this second competition. He received $33,000 to create the sculpture.
Making the Bronze Figures
The three bronze figures were not made in one piece. They were cast in thirteen separate pieces. Then, these pieces were carefully welded together. The finished sculpture was placed on strong concrete foundations that go deep underground.
Who is David M. Wanner?
David M. Wanner is the artist who created "On Watch." When he was younger, he was a Catholic priest. He also took part in the Civil Rights Movement, which worked for equal rights for all people.
David Wanner's Education and Work
David Wanner studied art and sculpture. He earned a PhD in Fine Arts and Sculpture in 1976. He also received a master's degree in Systematic Technology in 1973 from Marquette University in Milwaukee. He has been working with sculpture and design since 1968.
In 1970, Wanner started his own business called Wanner Sculpture Studio in Milwaukee. He now works there with his son, Jordan Wanner. David Wanner gets ideas for his art from his faith and from the work of other famous sculptors. He creates sculptures for both private clients and churches.
