Theodore Roethke Memorial Sculpture
About
Dedicated October 15, 1998-First Floor, M.J. Zahnow Library
Gift from the Theodore Roethke Memorial Foundation
Steel angle iron frame with bronze figures & images
Description
The 8' 10.5" tall, free standing greenhouse sculpture is a memorial to Theodore Roethke, a Pulitzer Prize winning poet born in Saginaw, Mic
higan. The sculpture reflects the influence of nature, people, and events on Theodore Roethke's poetry. Elements from Roethke's childhood, especially those spent in his father's greenhouses, comprise the sculpture.
A bust of Roethke is the largest piece on the sculpture. Book spines, along the back of the bust are entitled with Roethke's works. The figure of a child sitting on top of the sculpture is Roethke as a boy which was taken from his poem "A Child on top of a Greenhouse."
The faces of three women who were employed by Roethke's father in the greenhouse are included with potted flowers and plant roots.
Visitors will notice books and fish included in the sculpture reflecting Roethke's hobbies of reading and fishing. Tennis racquets are located at the bottom of the sculpture as Roethke was known to be an avid tennis player.
Other symbolic references are made throughout the sculpture and can be identified in Theodore Roethke's poetry.
The sculpture was dedicated on October 15, 1998 and is on display at the Melvin J. Zahnow Library (first floor), Saginaw Valley State University.
Written by Anita Dey, Head of Reference Services
Photo by Jen Wilson, Audio Visual Services
Source of Information:
"Poetry devotes to raise funds for Roethke sculpture,"
Martineau, Janet I. Saginaw News. Saturday, May 10, 1997, p. B3.
The Artist
M. Pamela Stump
Born: July 8, 1928
Residence: Gross Isle, Michigan
Awards:
- Women of Achievement Award, Downriver Chapter, National Organization for Women
- Distinguished Alumna Medal, Kingswood School, Cranbrook
The artist's works can be seen in schools, offices, churches, libraries and hospitals throughout Michigan, as well as in Ohio, Florida, Honduras and Japan.
Source of information
- Who's Who in America. 54th ed, v.2, New Providence, NJ:
Marquis Who's Who. c. 1999, p. 4789.
Selected Bibliography about the Sculpture
- articles available in the library's verticle file and archives collections
- Ludtke, Doris. "Shaping Thoughts: Gross IIe Sculpture Tries to Stir Emotions." See Vertical File.
- Martineau, Janet I. "Poetry Devotees Raise Funds For Roethke Sculpture." Saginaw News. May 10, 1997, p. B3.
- Martineau, Janet I. "Star of a Bright Evening: Poetry." Saginaw News. October 16, 1998.
- "SVSU Hosts an Evening with Theodore Roethke." SVSU Interior. Ocotber 20, 1998.
The Poet
Theodore Huebner Roethke
Born: May 25, 1908. Saginaw, Michigan
Died: August 1963. State of Washington
Buried: Saginaw, Michigan Oakwood Cemetery
Occupation: Educator, Poet
Awards, honors:
- Pulitzer Prize 1953
- Guggenheim Fellow
- Fulbright lecturer
- Tietjens Prize
- Levinson Prize
- American Academy of Arts & Letters Award
- Bollinger Prize for Poetry
- Edna St. Vincent Millay Award
Source of information
- Who Was Who in America with World Notables. vIV, Chicago, IL: Marquis-Who's Who, Inc, c. 1968, p. 805.
Selected bibliography & resources about Theodore H. Roethke
- articles available in the library's verticle file and archives collections
- Martineau, Janet I. "Roethke Home Marker Unveiled." Saginaw News. May 19, 2000. D7.
- Martineau, Janet I. "Mentor Roethke Meant a Lot to Poet." Saginaw News. May 13, 2000. B1.
- Martineau, Janet I. "High Marks and a Marker." Saginaw News. May 6, 2000. B2
- Schroeder, Sarah. "Festival Celebrates Saginaw's Artistic Heritage." Valley Vanguard. June 8, 1999.
Library's collection of materials authored by Theodore Roethke
Library's collection of materials about Theodore Roethke
Theodore Roethke Web sites:
Academy of American Poets-Theodore Roethke
Modern American Poetry
Selected Poems by Theodore Roethke
For more information
Friends of Theodore Roethke
PRESIDENT: Annie Ransford, 989-673-3004
1805 GRATIOT
SAGINAW MI 48602
Theodore Roethke Memorial Foundation:
President: Patricia Shek
11 West Hannum Blvd.
SAGINAW, MI 48602
Melvin J. Zahnow Library
Saginaw Valley State University
7400 Bay Road
University Center, MI 48710
(989)964-4240