Von Ringelheim wrote of this work,

"Arrival" portrays the heroic stand taken by pioneers as they settled in Nebraska. The sculptor hopes this piece will truly become a citizen of Nebraska to all Nebraskans. It is intended to reflect the scale and grandeur of the work of the early settlers. "Arrival" is avant garde, or ahead of its time, just as the pioneer spirit that settled Nebraska was before its time. In every respect this piece celebrates the Bicentennialist Spirit--Heritage, Festival and Horizons. It will grow in value and be a pleasure to your children, and it will really sparkle in your Nebraska sunlight! I wanted my sculpture to be of a heroic size. I know Nebraska was once a great sea of grass and along the Oregon Trail pioneers could only see landmarks that stood tall. I wanted to create a twentieth-century sentinel for the young people of today to hang their hopes and dreams on. 1

In response to an inquiry about his own thoughts and reactions to the Nebraska commission, he wrote,

The Interstate 80 Project turned out to be much more than a commission--it was a true opportunity to meet and understand the members of the community. Usually an artist is in touch with the architects and builders, executes a scale sized model known as a maquette, and when he is awarded the commission, executes it, installs it and moves on. With Interstate 80, the community wanted to experience the artists as much as it wanted to receive the work. . . . [Talking with the townspeople] not only helped them understand what I was trying to do, but they helped me understand what they were all about. It sort of makes you an instant citizen. It was this process of meeting and being made part of the community that reflects itself in the title of the work which is ARRIVAL. ARRIVAL came at their invitation and stayed to be part of their landscape and possible folklore. 2

References:

1. Nebraska Interstate 80 Bicentennial Sculpture Corporation, Official Records, File VR-B#3, Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden, Lincoln, NE.

2. Von Ringelheim, Paul, letter to Mary Lierly, March 17, 1981.