Skip to main content My Account Off-Campus Access Give 24/7 Chat Meet with a Librarian Directory Library Services Technical Support Submit a Digital Sign Give Newsletters Social Media

Celebrating 30 Years of Eggheads

  1. Home
  2. Visit & Study
  3. Exhibits
  4. Celebrating 30 Years of Eggheads

Shields Library (Lobby - Left Side of Main Staircase)

April 2, 2024 - November 22, 2024

The Eggheads, a series of sculptures by artist and UC Davis Professor Robert Arneson, have had a larger-than-life presence on campus since their creation in the early 1990s. Explore their history through news and student views from The California Aggie. The full stories can be found in the library’s online archive of The Aggie.

Egg-xtra, Egg-xtra Read All About It

1991: Bookhead or egghead?
Sept. 1992: Newest Eggheads laid near the Art Building
Nov. 1992: Artist Robert Arneson dies at 62
April 1994: Coming soon to a campus site near you… Last eggheads set for installation
June 1994: Campus acquires the last three Eggheads
Oct. 1994: Campus dedicates Eggheads
2004: They’re EGG-Cellent!- Egghead artwork brings unique touch to campus
Jan. 2007: Scrambled eggheads: Two of the campus fixtures will be relocated
Feb. 2007: Hatch a Photo contest: Egghead photo contest gives students a shot at creating art
May 2007: Hatch a Photo contest: Egghead photography contest winners announced
2008: Eggheads prepare for a trip across the street
2009: Eggheads Reinstalled

Building Bookhead

In October 1991, Bookhead was the first Egghead sculpture to “hatch” on campus — steps from the Shields Library entrance.

Artist Robert Arneson speaking at the October 1991 dedication ceremony of Bookhead.
Robert Arneson with Chancellor Ted Hullar (left) and Dean of the College of Letters and Science Robert Crummey (right) at the dedication of Bookhead in October 1991.