Sculpture dedication Monday at Batavia H.S.

Submitted by Batavia High School

The Batavia High School Class of 1954 will dedicate the sculpture “The Arts Together” at 6 p.m. Monday, July 23, at the high school’s Fine Arts Centre, 1401 W. Wilson St.

The BHS Class of 1954, during their last reunion, discussed how they could show their appreciation for their alma mater by presenting the school with a meaningful gift in recognition of the high school’s recent expansion, which now includes the new Batavia Fine Arts Centre.

In 2011, the Class of 1954 commissioned Guy Bellaver, noted Fox Valley sculptor, to create a work of art that would serve as a permanent tribute to the high school.

The Arts Together is a series of five individually sculpted bronze panels that depict the Visual and Performing Arts — vocal music, dance, instrumental music, theater and the visual arts — including a whimsical sculpture-in-progress of a bulldog, the school’s mascot.

Each panel flows visually to the next, representing the function of the Fine Arts Centre — to bring all of the arts together under one roof and connect Batavia’s students and the community to the arts.

The Arts Together sculpture is the latest addition to Batavia’s growing permanent art collection.

There will be a reception at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre immediately following the dedication. For more information, call Bob Popeck at (630) 879-6290 or email winmill2@comcast.net.