What do you do when your state's college Capitol Campus in Olympia, WA has a beautiful sundial designed by John Elliot, but a wimpy gnomon? The dial has been subject to a poorly designed and vandalized gnomon since it was installed in 1958. Now the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services "invites student designers to create a design for a functional, accurate, and aesthetic gnomon for the state's Capitol Campus sundial." To be eligible for the design contest, students must be enrolled in a Washington State community or technical college. The contest encourages student teams and an honorarium of $1000 will be awarded for the winning design.
The gnomon must be made for the sundial latitude of 47 degrees, with a maximum base length of 39.5 inches (1003 mm) to fit the 6 foot diameter circular sundial with center offset gnomon . "Practical concerns such as strength, resistance to vandalism, ease of maintenance, cost, and method of attachment will also be important aspects of a winning design." Esthetics of gnomon style, artistry, and content that blend with the sundial and capitol campus environment are important criteria.
Entries are due by February 24, 2017 and the winning design will be announced March 10, 2017. Read more at : http://des.wa.gov/services/facilities-leasing/capitol-campus/memorials-and-artwork/territorial-sundial/sundial-gnomon-design-contest
Addendum: "The iconic Territorial Sundial, housed between the Legislative Building and the Joel Pritchard Library, returned to its original location in Olympia after being in Seattle for repairs during the past 6 months. Workers took the aging timepiece to Seattle in July 2017 for its first major overhaul in 59 years. In need of serious repair, the weathered sundial became inaccurate at telling time," as reported by Washington State Government at: https://www.sos.wa.gov/so/about-office/from-our-corner/5749/Territorial%20Sundial%20returns%20to%20Capitol%20Campus "The restoration work done on the sundial included crafting a new stronger gnomon, the part of the dial that casts the shadow. The new gnomon is a replica of the original with improved attachments. Repairs have also been made to the face of the sundial, as well as work on the sundial's base and anchoring system to ensure its face is flat and horizontal (for accurate time-telling). The sundial will now be sturdier than ever with improved durability while maintaining its original historic appearance...Originally dedicated in January 1959, the Territorial Sundial was designed by artist and master craftsman John W. Elliott (1883-1971). There are eight panels that depict important milestones in our territorial history. The quote by Marcus Aurelius on its display reads, "Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current." There will be a dedication ceremony on Tuesday, January 30th [2018], beginning at noon, to celebrate the sundial's return."