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In 1936, Edna Dunberg and Louise Utter were hired to create the 15 sculptured heads that, with their duplicates, are the key features of a frieze that occupies the east, north, and west exteriors of the Depression-era Knight Library. The sculptures represent figures from the disciplines taught in academia and were selected by Ellis Lawrence in collaboration with a University committee. In moving one of the heavy plaster casts during the creation of the works, Dunberg suffered an intense pain that was eventually diagnosed to be cancer of the spine. She died within a few weeks, and artist Louise Utter (Pritchard) finished the models for the works which were made into cast stone.

Edna Dunberg (left) and Louise Utter (right) in about 1935.

This digitized photo was provided by Shasta Dawson of Australia. Mrs. Dawson is the daughter of Louise Utter Pritchard. Her father, Walter Pritchard, who married Louise while they were students at UO, was also an artist and worked at Linfield College and Washington State University. Louise Utter Pritchard's other works on campus include a plaque on the south exterior of the older part of Allen Hall and the figure Pan in the courtyard of the Museum of Art.