WSU ceremonial mace featured at ‘Michigan Metals’ exhibition

Central to Wayne State University's academic traditions, a 51-inch ceremonial staff made from ebony, bronze, and steel stands at the intersection of artistic achievement, institutional history, and civic identity.

Appearing at WSU commencement ceremonies and annual convocations, The Academic Mace (1984) by metalsmith Phillip Fike serves as a symbol of scholarship, leadership, and the enduring ideals of higher education.

"He created a work that continues to embody the institution's values," said Grace Serra, senior director of the Wayne State University Art Collection and Galleries. "Simultaneously, he demonstrated the transformative potential of metalsmithing as both artistic practice and cultural expression."

And its next social engagement takes place during the Michigan Metals: Lasting Legacy / Inspired Response exhibition, held June 8-29 at the College for Creative Studies' Art Center Building Gallery.

Designed and fabricated by Phillip Fike, a professor of art at Wayne State until his death in 1997 and founding member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG), WSU's mace is rich in symbolic meaning.

"By situating this iconic object within Michigan Metals: Lasting Legacy / Inspired Response, the exhibition creates a meaningful dialogue between historical achievement and contemporary artistic response," Serra said, "while highlighting the lasting influence of Michigan's metalsmithing community on future generations of artists and makers."

Fike's mace incorporates five eternal flames surrounding Wayne State's official seal - visible only from above - that represent the enduring pursuit of knowledge. A globe at its base signifies the university's global reach and responsibility, while bronze bands encircling the shaft reference the institution's constituent colleges.

"The work reflects both extraordinary technical skills and conceptual rigor," Serra said. "Although completed in time for its inaugural use during the university's 1984 commencement ceremonies, he continued refining the object for several years, underscoring his commitment to craftsmanship and artistic excellence."

The Academic Mace's inclusion in the exhibition coincides with Wayne State hosting the 2026 Society of North American Goldsmiths Conference. Held on campus June 10-13, the conference's theme centers on Labor & Legacy, examining jewelry and metalwork as practices shaped by skilled labor and intergenerational knowledge.

"The theme recognizes the enduring commitments of makers who preserve, transmit, and expand artistic traditions," Serra said. "Phillip Fike's mace stands as a powerful embodiment of these ideas - a work that reflects the labor of its creation, the legacy of its maker, and the continued relevance of metalsmithing within contemporary cultural and educational contexts."

Shawn Wright, communications liaison, College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts.