"Ad Astra" is a 22 foot tall cast bronze Kansa Indian that was installed on top of the State Capitol Building in Topeka, Kansas. Before installing the sculpture, it was taken on a three thousand mile trip around the state. This journey to 35 cities and their schools, provided an opportunity for Kansas children to see and touch the Capitol Dome Sculpture. "Ad Astra" was dedicated in Topeka on November 4, 2002.

The Symbolism of "Ad Astra"

"Ad Astra per Aspera," to the stars through difficulties, is the state motto and exemplifies the aspirations of the people of Kansas. The significance of this attitude has been incorporated into the development of the Capitol Dome sculpture. The students of Kansas overwhelmingly selected an Indian as the subject of the Dome sculpture. Therefore, I have chosen the figure of a Kansa Indian as the basis of my sculptural concept to represent this abstract idea visually. The sculpture, "Ad Astra," includes historical aspects of the past, realities of the present, and dreams of the future to illustrate this spirit of Kansas.

"Ad Astra" represents the visionary and stable qualities that characterize the citizens and governments of Kansas. The foundation of the state and its government is the people, represented by the Kansas Indian in "Ad Astra." The Kansas Indians were the original people of this area. Thus, the figure in the sculpture links our past and our present. The Indian draws the bow, symbolic of the energy of Kansans, and points the arrow, the determination and resolve of the people to achieve their goals, "to the stars," as our state motto declares. The people of Kansas strive to aim high and work hard to build a better present and future. The Indian's aim is to the North Star, symbolic of a stable government. The North Star's position remains constant and steady as it continues to guide our state. "Ad Astra," to the stars, points to a strong future for Kansas.