Renowned sculptor and former Brookdale Community College professorA. Thomas Schomberg with his most famous commission, Philly’s statue of Sly Stallone’s ROCKY character. 

It’s one of the truly iconic sculpted figures of our modern era — and as befits the media-driven age we live in, the subject isn’t a deity from ancient mythology, nor a Biblical figure, celebrated general or deep-pocketed solid citizen: it’s a bronze likeness of Sylvester Stallone, gloved fists pumping in an evocation of the role that made him a star, underdog boxer Rocky Balboa.

The statue situated just off the famed “Rocky Steps” of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is but the most famous commission (one of two, actually; the two-ton Rocky has a twin at the San Diego Sports Museum) for A. Thomas Schomberg, an internationally renowned sculptor, educator and, for a time in the 1970s, faculty member at the Lincroft campus of Brookdale Community College. Schomberg returns to BCC as special guest for a 7 pm talk on Monday, October 12 — part of “We/Re/E-merge,” a new exhibition of works by current and former Brookdale personnel that opens with a free public-welcome reception this Friday, October 9.

A mixed-media group show representing the talents of Brookdale teachers, administrators and staffers “from nearly every division and discipline,” the show in turn represents an ambitious initiative to celebrate the school’s new, more collaborative academic institutes, which were created this year as part of a college-wide reorganization. The exhibit is jointly curated by members of Brookdale’s Art and English divisions, which now function together as part of the college’s new Humanities Institute.

Featured inside BCC’s Center for Visual Arts gallery will be a display of paintings, sculptures and photos, as well as examples of creative writing, live music and performance art; all created and performed by Brookdale employees. The show remains on display during gallery hours through November 18.

“Creativity has always been a hallmark of the Brookdale community,” said art professor and co-curator Marie Maber. “This exhibition, like Brookdale’s reorganization, is an opportunity to use our respective talents and come together to create something truly inspiring.”

Hours for Friday’s free reception are from 5 to 8 pm in the CVA gallery. Parking is in lots 1 and 2, and more information can be had by calling (732)224-2743 or emailing mmaber@brookdalecc.edu.