Sculptor: James Surls, 1986
Created by internationally known artist James Surls in 1986, “From the Center” was installed at Austin College in 1989 in a small garden north of Abell Library. The elements caused deterioration and the sculpture was sent to Surls for restoration. The piece found its new home in Abell Library Center’s foyer in fall 2012. The sculpture, Surls said, is symbolic of humankind’s aspirations and imagination. The 1,200-pound sculpture begins as three single buds that grow and stretch upward to more than 15 feet of rising petals.