Permission needed to use images of on-campus sculptures

Western Washington University may own the 29 sculptures that together make up the vaunted Outdoor Sculpture Collection, but it doesn’t own their copyrights.

What does that mean? For starters, it means that images taken of those sculptures and used without the artists’ blessings are in violation of copyright law, potentially subjecting Western to hundreds and even thousands of dollars in fines.

“The artist always retains his copyright,” says Sarah Clark-Langager, director of the Western Gallery and curator of the sculpture collection. “In order for us to publish an image, we have to have the appropriate permissions.”

Of course, it is OK to photograph and film the various sculptures, she says. But those images and recordings can’t be reproduced or published for commercial purposes without approval.

All questions about copyright and the use of images or other depictions of sculptures should be directed to Clark-Langager. She’s the only one on campus who can obtain the required approval.

For more information, contact Clark-Langager at (360) 650-3900 or sarah.clark-langager@wwu.edu.