Caryl Picker Featured in the Chestnut Hill College Newsletter

March 1st, 2002 |

Peter and Mary Esseff (left) and sculptor Caryl Picker pose with “Free Spirit,” the college’s first piece of sculpture on campus.

The College community assembled to celebrate the installation of the College’s first piece of sculpture on campus, “Free Spirit,” a gift from the Mary and Peter Esseff Art Foundation. Caryl Picker, sculptor of “Free Spirit,” also joined the festivities. Sister Carol Jean Vale applauded Caryl Picker’s creativity and genius. “Despite being a maiden 6’7” high, 5’5” wide and weighing over 900 pounds, “Free Spirit” graces the landscape with a the beauty and an air of freedom.” Sister Carol Jean Vale recalled her visit seven years ago to the Maryland residence of alumna Mary Sullivan Esseff, Ph.D. ’65 and her husband Peter. “I was struck by this mesmerizing piece of sculpture located in a flower-filled island in front of their beautiful home. The grace and the beauty, the sheer magnetism of the piece caught my imagination. Before I knew it, the thoughts I was thinking became words and the words were out of my mouth. ‘If you ever have to part with “Free Spirit,” I think that Chestnut Hill College would be a perfect home for her.’ Little did I know that six years later, “Free Spirit” would move to the College campus.”

To view the actual newsletter, click here: Chestnut Hill College February 2002 Newsletter