Toby Baker Adds Fun and Function to McIntosh

Known for her creative enhancements to campus, ONU First Lady Mrs. Toby Baker, BFA '06, has finished her latest project: a copper coat rack for McIntosh Center.

At its core, this addition is a practical endeavor. "There was no coat rack for White Bear or the faculty dining hall, except for an unattractive rolling rack," Baker explains. "So David Dellifield, director of McIntosh Center, asked me to design a 'funky coat rack' for the space."

Baker, who holds a bachelor of fine arts degree, had never designed a functional piece of this kind. "I've created other sculptures," she says, "but this one has to work for a living."

Armed with sketches, Baker approached three different people to help bring the coat rack to life. Each time, she was told it would take a lot of time to complete, prompting the reaction: "It's a coat rack! How long could it take?"

Then she ran into Bill Kanzig, University machinist, in the dining hall. Kanzig looked over her design and agreed to "help" her build it.

"Little did I know," comments Baker, "that Bill saw this as a situation to 'teach Toby to fish and feed her for a lifetime.'"

"I think she was under the impression I was going to make it for her," Kanzig adds. "She showed some interest in learning how to build it, so I helped her learn."

So, the unlikely pair got to work in the campus machine shop. With Kanzig's help, Baker worked through design glitches, cut metal, twisted copper and learned how to "sweat," or solder, pipe.

"Bill is a wonderful resource," she comments. "I was fortunate to work with him, and the students are lucky to have him. The experience has made me a better designer."

It took nearly 50 hours to create and install the intricate rack, but the details are what make it a special hybrid of functional and funky. Baker's design called for decorative "doo-dahs," whimsical metal tubing twisted around the legs, curved feet and even a holographic texture on the wall plates. Knowing that coat hangers would scratch the copper rods, Baker gave the rods a wrap-around texture that would only be enhanced by scratches.

Kanzig, who also holds an art degree, was pleased with the finished project. "I liked the design and was glad to see it installed," he says.

Dellifield could not be happier with the changes the rack has brought to that corner of McIntosh. He has added mirrors and benches to further enhance the space.

"Whenever we redecorate a portion of the building, we always want to inspire a reaction and the coat rack does that. Mrs. Baker has a great eye and a definite signature; you can tell she's been here," says Dellifield, who calls Baker the "de facto curator of McIntosh Center."

Continuing, he says, "If you're willing to slow down a minute, her pieces are really good about offering the viewer something new."

Baker remains modest about her project, asserting, "It's just a coat rack." She hopes the rack will meet the needs of those using the space and give them something special to look at each time they pass by.

Written by Autumn Steiner
Senior, professional writing
Bluffton, OH