Ingenium potis irritat Musa poetis;

Bacche, soles Phoebo fertilis esse tuo.

Propertius, Elegies, 4.6.75-6

When the makers are in their cups

The Muse stirs up their genius.

About a year ago, the "Cupola" project was initiated, drawing inspiration from historical luminaries such as Filippo Brunelleschi. It playfully integrates engineering, science, language, music, philosophy, and kinetic sculpture/architecture. Originating as a class assignment, we constructed a 15-foot diameter drum standing 7 feet tall, meticulously fashioned using mortise-and-tenon joints. Each of the drum's 16 sides hosts kinetic creations alongside musical renditions played on a 25-bell carillon. Subsequently, we augmented the structure with a dome, elevating the cupola's height to 17 feet.

The creation of the Cupola is a collaborative endeavor, engaging over 45 dedicated students and faculty from diverse disciplines, with the number still growing. This collaborative spirit is echoed in the generous support the project has garnered.  Initial financial backing from the Willson Center for Humanities & Arts and the Lamar Dodd School of Art catalyzed the project's inception. Subsequently, a sustainability grant from UGA's Office of Sustainability facilitated a laboratory class, focusing on constructing the Dome of the Cupola using recycled and sustainable materials, ensuring structural integrity without compromising aesthetic appeal. More recently, a grant from the Parents Leadership Council has enabled us to broaden participation, bringing in additional students, contributors, and expertise to enhance the project further and taking it to the road.

Designed with portability in mind, the Cupola is akin to a mobile, fairground attraction, easily assembled and disassembled, making it perfect for a grand tour.                                                                                           

- Martijn van Wagtendonk, 2024