John Agbaje, Wharton senior and creator of the Penn Art Club's "Squirrels on Locust" exhibition, said the project began with the hope that the "whole campus would be brought together."
Seven months later, a host of larger-than-life squirrels representing Penn's diverse student population are lining Locust Walk.
Despite the cold, students from all across campus braved the rain yesterday to celebrate the official opening of the exhibition. The reception was held on the porch of the Women's Center on 37th street and Locust Walk.
Cookies shaped in the form of squirrels were provided, along with icing to decorate the miniature critters.
The fiberglass statuettes were built by members of the Penn Art Club and have been sponsored and painted by a number of different organizations, ranging from Wharton Asian Exchange to the Penn Irish Club.
From conception to creation to exhibition, this project is a communal work of art. The "Squirrels" involve everyone on campus - those who built and designed the statues as well as those who see them on their way to class.
"It was really a team effort," Agbaje said.
The project was partially inspired by the CowParade exhibits seen in major cities, - life-sized replicas of cows painted by various artists. The "Cows" are intended to raise money for charity and to bring communities together.
Agbaje wanted to do the same here on campus. After all, "Penn is a center for public art," he said.
He added that he chose squirrels as the venue for the idea because they "are an unofficial mascot for any college campus."
"Love them or hate them, they're accessible to everyone," he added.
The exhibition along Locust Walk will carry on until just before Hey Day.
But for now, the future of the "Squirrels" is unclear.
"We're playing it by ear with regards to what we're going to with them after the exhibition," said Agbaje.
