Carroll Alumnus Contributes to Wisconsin Artists Collection

David A. Powell, a 1968 graduate of Carroll University and a resident of Delafield, has donated one of his found art sculptures to the Wisconsin Artists Collection. "Rocky Raccoon is Dead" will be housed in the Todd Wehr Memorial Library.

"Rocky Raccoon is Dead" contains a dime from the Museum of the Atom in Oakridge, Tenn. The emu eggs reminded Powell of "Fat Boy," one of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan. The raccoon skeleton represents the impact of humans on the earth. "The rest of the story is up to the viewer," he said.

Powell's art is primarily in wood and found objects, reflecting his love of history and fascination with small local museums and religious reliquaries. He said, "Objects can be elevated to mystic status by being enclosed in containers to be viewed but not touched. A little satire and a bit of irony never hurt a visual story."

After earning a bachelor's degree in art in 1968, Powell served in Vietnam then returned to Carroll in 1970 to complete his art education certification. He also has a master's degree from Cardinal Stritch University. Powell taught in the School District of Waukesha and the School District of Shorewood, retiring from Shorewood High School in 2007. He is a member and past president of Milwaukee Area Teachers of Art.

The Wisconsin Artists Collection is on permanent display at Carroll University. It includes works by more than 400 artists who were born in Wisconsin or worked for significant portions of their careers in the state.

"I am honored to become part of the collection," Powell said. "Wis Guthrie and Marceil Pultorak were professors at Carroll who influenced me to become an artist and I feel my donation is a small token of my gratitude to them."

For more information, contact Peggy Thurston Farrell, curator and gallery director, at pfarrell@carrollu.edu or 262.524.7195, or visit www.carrollu.edu/programs/art/wisconsin_collection.asp.