Sammy in Stone

Description: “Sammy in Stone” is a playful yet reverent tribute to the beloved banana slug mascot of UC Santa Cruz. Carved from a beautiful brown, green soap stone with white crystals veining throughout the piece. The sculpture captures the soft, flowing form of the banana slug in a material traditionally used for permanence and legacy. The juxtaposition of slug and stone speaks to the resilience and charm of Santa Cruz itself—a place where nature, intellect, and irreverent humor thrive together.

While inspired by the iconic local “Banana Slug,” the piece is not a direct caricature, but rather an homage: grounded, gliding, and full of personality. Its surface is polished smooth to echo the moist, glistening trail of a living slug, and its curves evoke the coast-hugging hills and misty forests that define Santa Cruz’s unique spirit.

Material: Soap stone 11” L x 5.5” W x 7” T Mass: 12 lbs. (5.5 kg)

Completion: April 2, 2025