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Belleville, IL., May 21, 2013 Students from Althoff Catholic High School, along with shareholders from the law firm Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd., (MMR) and artist Kevin Trobaugh, unveiled the City’s newest sculpture to a crowd of several hundred guests attending Art on the Square’s VIP Reception in downtown Belleville Fri., May, 17, 2013.

Art teacher Dave Woesthaus and ten of his students designed the hanging mobile sculpture as part of Art on the Square’s High School Sculpture in the City program, an interactive arts project that challenges local students to create one-of-a-kind sculptures for their school campuses. The program is sponsored by Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd., (https://www.mmrltd.com), a long-time, recognized supporter of the arts in Belleville and surrounding communities.

The sculpture, titled “Timeless Traditions”, is a 14′ x 14′ hanging mobile comprised of nearly 20 individual pieces of aluminum, each designed by the students. Under the guidance of visiting artist Kevin Trobaugh, students learned the fundamentals of public art design and how to create a full-scale art form. Students conceptualized the mobile, drew each shape and cut out the large aluminum forms. They used a circular grinder to create the unique patterns that give the shapes depth and interest. The pieces were then run through an English Wheel to give them form and shape before being painted in vibrant colors by Trobaugh.

Trobaugh encouraged the young artists to “think out of the box” with their design concepts, but also to consider its shape, mechanics and engineering as important factors Art teacher Dave Woesthaus commented, “This was a great opportunity for the kids to get their hands dirty and really gain an understanding of what’s involved with making a large-scale art piece like this. It’s not just about being creative, but also about understanding the mechanics and mathematical side to art. They certainly enjoyed every bit of the experience!”

As the official sponsor of the program, Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd., is proud to help create such a unique experience for local students. George Marifian, shareholder of MMR, commented, “This is our third year as the sponsor of this program and it’s just amazing to see the enthusiasm, hard work and creativity of the students. The program provides a great opportunity for a very valuable, hands-on learning experience.”

The mobile will be permanently installed at Althoff’s Heritage Hall performing arts center following Art on the Square. The students designed the piece with the idea of heritage as their central theme. The result is a spherical design since a sphere is a perfect shape that is never ending and equidistant to all other points. According to Woesthaus, “To the students, the final piece symbolizes their heritage, its roundness and fullness, and the basis from which they draw strength and character.”

High School Sculpture in the City will continue to engage area high schools in years to come so that more students benefit from the experience. The program has already involved several-hundred, student participants from Althoff, Belleville West and Belleville East, and has resulted in three unique sculptures at each of the campuses.

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Althoff Catholic High School art students pose with shareholders from the law firm Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd. (MMR), in front of “Timeless Traditions,” a mobile sculpture designed by the students as part of the 2013 High School Sculpture in the City program. MMR annually sponsors the program, which has now resulted in three unique sculptures located on the campuses of Belleville area high schools.