Bekins fund sculpture for Performing Arts Center

megankeyser Just a few days before the end of first semester, a new decoration greeted the Marian community as they entered the school’s property. Located to the north of the Per- forming Arts Center’s entrance, an aluminium and stainless steel sculpture is attached to the brick wall. “I think it’s really pretty and adds more character…

mariandigitalnetwork

February 7, 2016

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megankeyser

Shooting stars: John Lajba’s sculpture adorns the north side of the PAC. The sculpture greeted students on their first day back from Christmas break. Photo by Megan Keyser.

Just a few days before the end of first semester, a new decoration greeted the Marian community as they entered the school’s property. Located to the north of the Per- forming Arts Center’s entrance, an aluminium and stainless steel sculpture is attached to the brick wall.

“I think it’s really pretty and adds more character to the building,” junior Rhiana McCarty said.

Tom and Sandy Bekins Von Riesen, parents of Julia Von Riesen ’09, of The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation approached Marian’s Advancement Department with funds for a patriotic ag display.

When the Advancement Department decided that only one American flag was needed on school grounds, the sculpture idea was pitched.

“We wanted to build a sculpture of some sort, originally a free-standing sculpture, to represent the values of Marian and the Servants of Mary,” Public Relations Director Mrs. Kaitlin Ahart said.

Marian commissioned sculptor John Lajba, father of recent graduate Hannah Lajba ’14 and professional sculptor since 1982, to design and build an art piece. Lajba constructed the sculpture of Jesus in the Servants of Mary Healing Gardens.

“Once the building was built, I didn’t want a sculpture to interfere with the beautiful facade of the building,” Lajba said.

He constructed a simplistic, modern sculpture that includes seven stars, representing the seven Sorrows of Mary.

“I want everyone who looks at it to see each star as their daughter, or niece, or whoever their students are,” Lajba said.

The four bigger stars symbolize each students’ years at Marian, and the ribbons owing behind these stars represent a student’s upward trajectory into her college future and beyond. “I think of the ribbons as balloon strings lifting you off into the air,” Lajba said, “because the world is very open to seniors. There’s lots of joy at Marian that develops a student. I see the enthusiasm to understand not only the education, but the world.”

Students are encouraged to check their emails in the next week for an opportunity to name the sculpture.