Three public sculptures created by seniors in Humboldt State University’s studio art class will be unveiled Friday, May 16, in downtown Arcata.

The sculptures will be dedicated by the artists in a walking tour that will begin at 4 p.m. across from the North Coast Co-op at Eighth and I streets.

The starting point for the tour is “Where We Stand,” a steel trapezoidal house created by art senior Elizabeth P. Johnson. The house is filled with aluminum fishing floats painted to resemble a large apple and a cluster of oranges, with simulated oil seeping from the apple.

“The sculpture is about the imbalance in our food, clothing and shelter, where some people have too much and some people are struggling to survive,” Johnson said. “After you obtain those basic needs, instead of next seeking knowledge, there’s a tendency toward transportation as the next objective. We identify cars as part of our intellect, when they’re just material wealth. What should be your next step?”

A block to the east will be “The Earth Eye,” a bronze bas-relief rain-catcher by oceanography senior Simon Kang that was inspired by the eye of a blue whale. The rain catcher is a low-profile piece that will be installed in a planter near the center of the Arcata Plaza.

One more block east will be found “The Infundibulum,” a bench composed of steel, glass and redwood boards.

“It’s a transport machine,” said designer Chris Kieselhorst. “When you sit on the bench, you have the potential to be transported anywhere you desire.” It will be located at the bus station adjacent to the Arcata Ballpark.

Tour details:

The sculpture unveiling and walking tour, led by Alex Stillman, will visit six student sculptures — three new ones and three installed last year in downtown Arcata.

The tour begins at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 16, at Eighth and I streets, across from the North Coast Co-op. The procession of students, parents and art enthusiasts will proceed in the following order:

The new sculptures are Nos. 1, 4 and 6 in the tour.

1. Eighth and I streets, a new sculpture by Elizabeth P. Johnson.

2. Walk down Bret Harte Alley to the Humboldt State University Sculpture Courtyard at 833 Ninth St. to see last year’s sculpture by Victor Hernandez.

3. Step just outside the gate to the corner of Ninth and H streets to view last year’s sculpture by Jimmie Nord.

4. Proceed to the center of the Arcata Plaza for a new rain catcher by Simon Kang.

5. Head to Eighth and G streets, the Plaza Design corner, to review last year’s sculpture by Sierra Pahl.

6. Stroll two blocks to the transit center adjacent to the Arcata Ballpark at Ninth and F streets to see a new bench by Chris Kieselhorst.