Hamilton, the City of Sculpture, now has its first artist-in-residence.

        Dennis C. Baker will work from a 30-by-30-foot open warehouse with full window and natural lighting at 134 Hensel Place.

        The space was donated by Neil Cohen of Hamilton Scrap Processors, a long-time sculpture enthusiast.

        Mr. Cohen is a third-generation owner of the family's scrap business.

        Mr. Baker will donate several pieces for a future fund-raiser to help the nonprofit City of Sculpture group.

        “I like the raw edginess that steel has,” Mr. Baker said. “I will even intentionally rust some of my pieces so they look old and aged. I have, as long as I can remember, liked to assemble or put together "stuff' .... So when I discovered welding, I knew I had hit my lifelong medium.”

        Since Gov. Bob Taft officially recognized Hamilton as the City of Sculpture in August, a board of trustees has been appointed and projects planned.

        The city's works include Pyramid Hill's 40 sculptures on Ohio 128, several sculptures of people at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts downtown, a firefighter sculpture to be installed this year, and a sculpture of Lentil and his dog. The characters in Robert McCloskey's childrens' books will be ready in a new downtown park in 2001.

        Perhaps the largest is a 65-foot-high sculpture erected in front of the One Renaissance Plaza last year. It is a gift of former Common Pleas Judge John Moser.

        The new artist-in-residence program will help fulfill the sculpture group's mission: promote the recognition of Hamilton as a cultural community by obtaining sculptures that will be placed in public places.

        To that end, Mr. Cohen has provided a heavy lift truck, front-end loader, welding and torching equipment and a special platform for Mr. Baker's use.
       • • •

        HAMILTON — Evita will be performed 8 p.m. March 16-17 and 22-24 at Parrish Auditorium, and at 2 p.m. March 18.

        Lisa Bowen will play the part of Evita Peron, the second wife of Argentine dictator Juan Peron. Wayne Wright will play Juan Peron. Other major cast members include Chris Beiser, Robert Moore and Molly Wanko.

        For ticket information, call the Butler County AAA at 863-3200.
       • • •

        MASON — Mason High School will hold a career day 7:15-9 a.m. March 16.

        The goal is to expose students in grades 9-12 to a variety of careers and the skills needed to achieve them, guidance counselor Shelley Marshall said.

        She is looking for speakers who are willing to discuss their careers. Volunteers will speak during three sessions, 25 minutes each. Breakfast will be served.

        Contact her at school at 398-7896, extension 1303, between 7:15 a.m. and 3 p.m., or send a fax to her at 336-6987.
       • • •

        OXFORD — Miami University's board of trustees recently named a bell tower in memory of Verlin L. Pulley, a 1925 Miami graduate.

        The Pulley Tower is on the southwest corner of Cook Field. The tower was a gift from Mr. Pulley's son, William, who earned a master's in business administration from Miami in 1958.

        The tower is expected to be ready for the fall.

       Randy McNutt may be reached at 860-7118 or at The Cincinnati Enquirer, 4820 Business Center Way, Cincinnati, OH 45246.

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