VANCOUVER, WASH. – Washington State University Vancouver has issued a Request for Proposal to hire an artist to create a mace to be used at official university ceremonies such as commencement.
A mace is a custom-made piece of art often crafted from historic campus relics. Typically each component of the mace’s design is symbolic. Campus colors are typically represented and often times the mace is decorated with gems and precious metals.
In the Middle Ages, the mace was a war club carried by a bodyguard to defend a person of authority. Today its purpose is strictly ceremonial, and carrying it is a great honor reserved for a distinguished faculty member, an outstanding student or university marshal. During the ceremony, the mace is displayed in a place of prominence on a velvet pillow or a specially made stand.
Interested artists can get a copy of the RFP online at or by contacting Dave Hurt, procurement specialist, at 360-546-9245 or dnhurt@vancouver.wsu.edu. Questions regarding the RFP must be submitted by 2 p.m. Jan. 17. Proposals are due by 2 p.m. Jan. 31. Ideally the mace will be completed by May 1 in time for 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø’s 2014 commencement ceremony.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu