KU in the Capitol: Difficulties fail to deter KU sculptor from completing 'Ad Astra' for Capitol dome

Richard Bergen, Salina sculptor and arts educator, has long encouraged the creativity of children. So when Kansas schoolchildren drew pictures of American Indians as their vision of the proper adornment for the dome of the Capitol in Topeka, Bergen heeded their suggestion. In 1988, he entered a statewide competition and, following the children's lead, proposed a Kansa Indian warrior for the dome.

Bergen, EdD'72, won thecommission to create "Ad Astra," named for the state's motto, "Ad Astra per Aspera": to the stars through difficulties. Kansas took its name from the Kansa tribe, which has since moved to Oklahoma and is now known as the Kaw Nation.

In September, Bergen, now 77, at last laid his 22-foot, two-ton bronze Indian on a trailer hitched to a red pickup and hauled it to 30 towns around the state. Before he saw "Ad Astra" hoisted atop the dome, he wanted to share it with Kansans, especially children.

"The reaction was unbelievable," he said. "The kids kind of went crazy. The big thing was for everyone to try to touch the tip of the bow. It was down low enough that they could touch it if they were tall enough. A lot of adults did, too. They nearly wore the finish off, but it's up so high now, it won't matter."

The oohs and aahs throughout the state made Bergen's long struggle worthwhile. After years of controversy over funding and design issues, the statue was dedicated Nov. 4 in a ceremony on the Statehouse grounds. "In recent weeks, the critics have been drowned out by the beauty, by the majesty, by the power of 'Ad Astra,'" Gov. Bill Graves said.

Richard Bergen, sculptor of "Ad Astra," was hugged by his granddaughter, Anna Bergen-Kamerer, of Manhattan, who introduced him to the crowd at the dedication. Indians from the Kaw Nation and all four tribes in Kansas also offered prayers at the ceremony.

Through the years, despite continuing questions about how the $1.6 million project would be funded and whether the design was appropriate, Bergen persevered, even teaming with his family members to help raise the money. Ultimately, $1.5 million of the project was privately funded, including donations for a plaza on the southwest Capitol grounds where Monday's ceremony was conducted.

The saga of the statue is reflected in its name, so aptly borrowed from the state motto. In the words of Bergen's 11-year-old granddaughter, Anna Bergen-Kamerer, "Now we have a picture to go with the words."

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