Central Oregonian

Chaos to Order

Greg Congleton has completed another piece of art for Prineville, and the metal sculpture will be dedicated on Monday, Nov. 19, to the COCC Crook County Open campus

RAMONA MCCALLISTER/CENTRAL OREGONIAN

“Chaos to Order,” a metal sculpture by former Prineville native Greg Congleton, graces the entrance of the COCC Crook County Open Campus building.

Ramona McCallister

November 15, 2012

Former Paulina native Greg Congleton has once again gifted Prineville with his inspiring artwork — this time to grace the entry way of the COCC Crook County Open Campus building.

The metal sculpture, “Order to Chaos” is now officially installed in the atrium entry of the building, and the strong message that it conveys is apparent for all who enter the doors. The sculpture depicts two globes — one large and one that is smaller — to represent the journey of a student who is pursuing a higher education. The two globes are connected with a graceful “swoosh” of steel between them, which are lit up by fiber optics.

The artwork was sponsored by Phil and Penny Knight, and a grand opening is set for next week. Congleton remarked that the Knights paid for the entire sculpture.

“They paid for the whole thing,” he said. “There are no tax dollars involved, and it is a gift to Central Oregon, to the City of Prineville, and Crook County.”

Local resident Scott Cooper was the Crook County Judge at the time that the original Maverick sculpture at the City of Prineville plaza was also done by Congleton. The artist was born and raised in the Paulina area and graduated from Crook County High School, and wanted to do a sculpture for his hometown.

“He and I worked together on that project, and we ended up putting Maverick over there at City Hall,” noted Cooper. “At the end of that project — which was highly successful, Greg said, ‘if there is ever an opportunity to do anything else, keep me in mind.”’

He said that after the Open Campus building was complete, there was a need for a piece of public art in the large atrium. He approached Congleton about the possibility of doing another piece for this space, since Maverick was such a success.

“We saw an opportunity to do another one,” said Cooper. “So Greg put together the pieces with the Knights, took them the concept, and the result was the project that we have.”

Congleton said that approximately two years ago, he was approached by Cooper to see if he could come up with some ideas for the Open Campus atrium space. He came up with several different options, and early on he came up with the concept of “Chaos to Order.”

“I was trying to come up with something with the notion of a progression from where a student is coming in the door, and what a higher education affords them,” explained Congleton. “The connection between those is that lighted swoosh that is supposed to represent the role of the institution in helping you get from one to the other.”

He had to work around the large steel cross brace at the center of the entryway, and decided to build around it. The large globe that represents higher education is built around the steel braces.

“It greatly added to the complexity of the project.

Congleton spent 30 years in construction prior to becoming a sculpture artist.

“It is a wonderful, wonderful gift,” said Cooper.

He added that the installation, the artist commission, and the materials were all paid for by Phil and Penny Knight. He noted that the Knights have funded a number of pieces by Congleton.

“It’s really neat, and it’s a real gift,” commented COCC Crook County Open Campus board member Gary Goodman. “What it signifies to me is through education you convert chaos into order.”

The grand opening will take place at the COCC Crook County Open Campus Building, 510 S.E. Lynn Blvd., at 4 p.m. The public is welcome. Greg Congleton will be on hand to assist with the dedication and answer questions. For more information call Jeff Papke at 541-447-9233.