"Ad Astra"

"Ad Astra". . , "Ad Astra per Aspera," to the stars through difficulties, is the state motto and exemplifies the aspirations of the people of Kansas. The significance of this attitude has been incorporated into the development of the Capitol dome sculpture. The students of Kansas overwhelmingly selected an Indian as the subject of the dome sculpture. Because the Kansa tribe was settled in the Topeka area I chose a Kansa brave as the subject for the dome sculpture, the sculpture, "Ad Astra," includes historical aspects of the past, realities of the present, and dreams of the future to illustrate this spirit of Kansas., "Ad Astra" represents the visionary and stable qualities that characterize the citizens and government of Kansas. The foundation of the state and its government is the people represented by the Kansa Indian in "Ad Astra." The Kansa Indians were the original people of this area. Thus, the figure in the sculpture links our past and our present. The Indian draws the bow, symbolic of the energy of Kansas, and points the arrow, the determination and resolve of the people to achieve their goals, "to the stars," as our state motto declares. The people of Kansas strive to aim high and work hard to build a better present and future. The Indian's aim is to the north star, symbolic of a stable government. As the north star's position remains constant and steady amid the changes and demands of time, so too, our Kansas government remains constant and steady as it continues to guide our state. "Ad Astra," to the stars, points to a strong future for Kansas., Dr. Richard Bergen, sculptor