Some projects carry a little extra weight.
At ART Research Enterprises, we have the honor of working on a wide range of public art projects, but every so often a commission comes along that reminds us how powerful sculpture can be in preserving history, honoring leadership, and creating places for future generations to gather, learn, and reflect.
Our team has been proud to contribute to the production of sculptures destined for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois.
The sculpture began in clay at StudioEIS, whose artists and sculptors have created some of the nation’s most recognizable figurative monuments over the past 50 years. Standing approximately seven feet tall, the figures possess a commanding presence while maintaining the humanity and accessibility that make great figurative sculpture so compelling. Bringing that vision from clay to permanent public art required the coordinated efforts of wax technicians, metal chasers, fabricators, patineurs, engineers, and installers working together toward a common goal.
Our role has been helping transform EIS’ artistic vision into enduring public art. Every casting chased, every weld refined, and every surface finished represents another step in a process that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. It is work that demands patience, precision, and a deep respect for the artist’s original intent.
Projects associated with presidential centers occupy a unique place in our cultural landscape. They become destinations for education, reflection, and civic engagement. Long after the construction crews have left and the ribbon cuttings are complete, these places continue to tell stories that help define our nation’s history.
That reality is never far from our minds when working on a project of this significance.
While visitors will ultimately experience the finished sculpture, what they may never see are the thousands of decisions, adjustments, and skilled hours invested behind the scenes. The molds, castings, fabrication, engineering, finishing, and countless hands involved all become part of the artwork’s story.
We are grateful to StudioEIS for their trust and collaboration throughout the process and proud of the dedication shown by our team here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Being entrusted with a role in bringing this work to life is both a responsibility and an honor.
Some projects are measured by their size.
Others are measured by the legacy they help preserve.
Artist: StudioEIS
Obama Presidential Center
Chicago, Illinois
Images shown during production at ART Research Enterprises, Inc. Original clay sculpture produced at StudioEIS studio.
