Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Texas San Antonio Classmates
Classmates is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

AO Edited

Classmates

What was meant as an innocent piece of art has earned a reputation as the "mansplaining sculpture."

San Antonio, Texas

Added By
William Davis
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The statue   I has a bucket / Atlas Obscura User
The woman   I has a bucket / Atlas Obscura User
The man   I has a bucket / Atlas Obscura User
view of the road from there   knoxium / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This piece of public art depicts a woman with a book sitting on a bench. Standing near her, almost hovering with one leg on the bench, is a man who appears to be explaining something.

Classmates was dedicated in 2006 on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word. Sculptor Paul Tadlock had no idea that a frenzy over the piece was to follow. When the sculpture was revealed, some students and faculty laughed, some were angered, and nearly all gravitated toward the same nickname, deeming it the “mansplaining” sculpture.

The sculpture seems to fit the name quite well, and as a result, it inspired a fair share of memes and jokes. For example, "I've got it all figured out!" says the man statue. "Does he think I'm actually listening?" expresses the woman statue. Or, "Doesn't he see I'm reading here?" Jokes like these and more have been made over the years, though some do not find the artwork amusing at all.

When it was first unveiled, there were complaints that the statue was sexist and that it was out of place on the UIW campus and in modern society in general. Though some still feel that way, most have moved on from the controversy and ignore, or make fun of the piece altogether.

The work is made of bronze and was dedicated during Heritage Week in the 125th anniversary year of the school's history.

Related Tags

Universities Statues Women Feminism

Know Before You Go

Classmates is on East Hildebrand Ave. Turn left at the stoplight onto University of Incarnate Word that takes you directly into the main parking lot. Many of the parking spots are reserved for permit holders, so park wisely. The statue is located in between the Bonilla Science Hall and the Carvera Wellness Center. Both buildings are adjacent to the parking lot.

Community Contributors

Added By

satxwdavis

Edited By

lampbane, Edward Denny, knoxium, I has a bucket

  • lampbane
  • Edward Denny
  • knoxium
  • I has a bucket

Published

July 2, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.google.com/maps/place/%22Classmates%22+aka+%22The+Mansplaining+Statue%22/@29.4661734,-98.4665937,19z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x0:0x0!2zMjnCsDI3JzU3LjYiTiA5OMKwMjcnNTguMCJX!3b1!8m2!3d29.466!4d-98.4661!3m4!1s0x865cf5f8d39cea4f:0xb26806cbbe224b81!8m2!3d29.4661734!4d-98.4660452
Classmates
East Hildebrand Avenue
San Antonio, Texas
United States
29.465952, -98.466095
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Miraflores

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

Cinnamon Kandy the Circus Elephant

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

'Johnny Loves Vivian' Bench

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Antonio

San Antonio

Texas

Places 41
Stories 7

Nearby Places

Miraflores

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

Cinnamon Kandy the Circus Elephant

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

'Johnny Loves Vivian' Bench

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Antonio

San Antonio

Texas

Places 41
Stories 7

Related Stories and Lists

8 of the Rudest Places on Earth

List

By Jessica Leigh Hester

Related Places

  • Miss America statues at OCU

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

    Miss America Statues

    Three bronze beauty queens welcome you to “Miss America University.”

  • Bratmobile performing in London, 1994.

    New York, New York

    Riot Grrrl Collection at NYU

    A collection of fanzines, recordings, and documents detailing the rise and influence of the feminist punk movement.

  • Le Clitoris.

    Poitiers, France

    Le Clitoris

    This anatomical sculpture raises awareness about violence against women and promotes gender equality.

  • New York, New York

    Fearless Girl Statue

    Wall Street has a new heroine, a bronze statue of a small but fierce girl.

  • Cotonou, Benin

    Amazon Statue

    The 100-foot-tall (30-meter) bronze statue was built to recognize the world's only documented all-female army.

  • Oaxaca, Mexico

    ‘El Mural Que Debió Ser’ (‘The Mural That Should’ve Been’)

    A modern feminist movement has brought to life the mural that machismo once denied to artist María Izquierdo.

  • Statue of Stephanie Beauharnais

    Mannheim, Germany

    Statue Stephanie de Beauharnais

    This easily overlooked statue depicts an important woman in Mannheim's history.

  • Lyme Regis, England

    Mary Anning Statue

    A beautiful bronze statue of the greatest fossil hunter of the 19th century.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.