The museum has acquired "Kopernicus," a metal sculpture created by Theodore Roszak in 1959. Prior to the purchase, the museum lacked an example of one of the primary innovators of sculpture in post-World War II America, an era lasting from 1946 through 1965, said Peter Blume, museum director.

He said Roszak was best known for his highly technical sculptures in plastics and metals.

"'Kopernicus' reflects the artist's mature style, with its dripping metal and braised steel," Blume said. "The sculpture pays homage to astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, an astronomer who formulated the first modern heliocentric theory of the solar system in the 1500s. The sculpture also refers to the space race and the launch of Sputnik."  

The sculpture was acquired as a result of a gift from former Ball State dean and professor Richard Burkhardt and his wife Dorothy Burkhardt, who is a professor emeritus of modern languages.

More information about the museum may be found at www.bsu.edu/artmuseum.