Shippensburg University is fortunate to have both local artists and students creating unique sculptures that serve to enhance the campus.

One sculpture “Life Force,” cannot help but stand out to the students walking back and forth from classes. Constructed by local Allentown artist Dan Kainz, “Life Force” is a full round stone structure that can be observed and appreciated from many angles. Kainz employed both his skills in stone-carving and glasswork to create a piece that functions both as a distinct feature of Shippensburg University and a beautiful example of art. The piece looks as though one massive stone has been split down the middle, only to cradle the beautifully red tinted glass squares that are nestled between the two halves. Horizontal lines are chiseled into the side of the stone that faces the Dauphin Humanities Center. These horizontal lines draw your eyes across the piece, but it is the distinct vertical line of red glass that draws your gaze inward to the sculpture. The repetitive sedimentary lines in the stone follow the same rhythm that break up each glass piece. Each one of these blocks burns red in the middle with a delicate golden edge surrounding. Though this sculpture can be admired and appreciated any day, it is on clear, sunny days that this piece really comes to life. As the sun shines through the line of red glass, the glass pieces begin to emanate light themselves and the sculpture becomes alive, as if awakening from a dormant state. Kainz created a sculpture that not only stands the test of time and weather, but also works in harmony with nature to add the final dramatic touch. Kainz continues to create sculptures that can be found throughout Pennsylvania, including on campuses like Albright College in Reading and Widener University Law School in Chester.

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