Quantum Leaf Lesson Plan

Quantum Leaf is 15 feet in diameter and 11 feet in height. It resembles an oversized dying leaf with its edges curled. It is placed in a fountain with water pouring from the leaf into a circular pond. It is designed for a park-like setting north of the former Downtown YMCA in Des Moines.

Sally Pettus was born in March of 1942. She studied at The Cleveland Institute of Art and Sarah Lawrence College. Quantum Leaf was commissioned by Melva Busksbaum after seeing some of the artist’s sculptures. Of Quantum Leaf the artist has said, “The leaf falls from a tree. It could land on water and die, and then the cycle of life begins again.” This larger-than-life symbol or life’s natural cycle is Sally Pettus’ first large-scale public artwork.