Golden State Today

In a celebration of art and creativity, the University of California, Davis community gathered to honor the iconic public art pieces known as Robert Arneson's Eggheads. The campus marked 2024 as the Year of the Eggheads, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the installation of the last sculpture.

"The Eggheads are alive and well on our campus," expressed Rachel Teagle, the founding director of the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art. Teagle highlighted the Eggheads' significance as unofficial mascots and praised UC Davis for embracing public art like no other university.

Reflecting on his father's artistic journey at UC Davis, Kirk Arneson shared, "Being hired here and having that freedom — he blossomed." He emphasized his father's love for the campus and the importance of leaving a lasting legacy through public art.

The celebration of the Eggheads extended with the introduction of licensed merchandise, including shirts, tote bags, socks, and posters, available both online and on campus. The museum's pop-up shop featured a variety of unique items, with the first purchase being a bucket hat that brought excitement to the museum's deputy director, Randy Roberts.

A new display at the Manetti Shrem Museum showcased Robert Arneson's original small-scale Egghead prototypes for the first time, offering a glimpse into the artist's creative process. Ginny Duncan, the curatorial assistant, highlighted the significance of these prototypes, noting, "You can actually see Arneson’s hand in them."

Sandy Shannonhouse, Arneson's widow and a sculptor, shared her personal connection to art, stating, "I'm here to tell you it changed my life." She encouraged students to explore their inner selves, emphasizing that creativity stems from within.

The legacy of Arneson's Eggheads continues to inspire and captivate the UC Davis community, with the power of art evident in every aspect of the celebration. From commemorative events to licensed merchandise, the lasting impact of Arneson's creations resonates throughout the campus, showcasing the enduring legacy of artistic expression.