MISSOULA, Mont. — Rudy Autio created the famous grizzly bear statue on the University of Montana and now a sculpture of his has been reborn and will be placed on the museum grounds on the north end of campus.
The piece ‘Signal’ was deteriorating due to exposure to the different seasons and was removed in 2024.
This piece has been worked on for six years and the got rebirthed in the original format that Autio intended.
The ‘Signal’ was originally created in 1966 by Autio during his 28 years on campus and was made from concrete, iron rebar and ceramics.
An unveiling ceremony and reception will be held on Oct. 8, Autio’s birthday, and will be held on the south lawn of the museum on campus from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Autio created the ceramics program at UM in 1957 while bringing in students from all over to learn how to create large bodies of work in metal, murals, tiles, and more.
Officials say ‘Singal’ was the sculpture most closely aligned with his artistic vision and interest in the Japanese Mingei tradition.
‘Signal’ originally was in between the Fine Arts and Music Buildings, then moved next to Miller Hall.
Family members of Autio, friends, and others partnered to raise over $70,000 to rebuild it.
“Generous donors in 2023 made it possible to put this new piece together to commemorate Rudy’s long service at the University,” said Lisa Autio, who spearheaded the effort to restore her father’s work. “The family is very proud that the MMAC chose this prime spot to acknowledge his importance to the University’s history and the arts.”