By Anna Guido
Enquirer contributor

Sculptor Tom Tsuchiya stands in back and directs art students (from left) Ming-Jin Wang, Adam Prather, Kirsten Zook, Eliza Waggoner and Allison Wick at Wyoming High School as they build a model for their abstract community-service sculpture. The Cincinnati Enquirer/GLENN HARTONG

WYOMING - Art students at Wyoming High School have their hands in an after-school project they hope will remind future generations of the value of community service.

The students in grades 8-12 - about 10 so far - are designing and sculpting an abstract work of art that conveys their impression of community service.

Art teacher Katie Robinson and Cincinnati sculptor Tom Tsuchiya are guides in the volunteer effort, which was spearheaded by Mike Braitsch, service coordinator for the Wyoming Youth Services Bureau.

"I want young people to see that they can serve their community in whatever way their talents work," Braitsch said.

"Like classic literature, community service has always been around. I'm trying to find the equivalent - in community projects - of the new great authors."

Studies show that the current generation of young people is volunteering more than any group in American history, according to Youth Service America, sponsor of National Youth Service Day.

Robinson and Braitsch had differing goals for getting involved with the Wyoming High School sculpture project.

Robinson wanted to form an art club to tackle numerous requests for art-related service projects. Braitsch wanted to involve youth in a project that would demonstrate the value of community service.

"With the sculpture, students can use art skills to make the community a nicer-looking place, and at the same time, promote service for the future," Braitsch said.

Students began building the clay mold for the 4- to 5-foot-high sculpture Thursday. It will be completed and unveiled to the community in several weeks. Robinson describes the design as "two abstract forms that come together."

Tsuchiya, whose work includes the statue of D'Artagnan (The Musketeer) at Xavier University's Cintas Center, and statues of Cincinnati Reds greats on the Crosley Terrace outside Great American Ball Park, will introduce Wyoming art students to the basics of designing sculpture.

"The key element in fine sculpture is breathing life into it, and that is achieved by the way you organize and shape it," said Tsuchiya, a graduate of Indian Hill High School and the University of Cincinnati.

"Like any other kind of art form, when things are well-organized and working together, they take on a life of their own."

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