Belleville Rotary donates toward unique SWIC artwork

A one-of-a-kind art piece, Box Elder Vessel, has a new home in the Southwestern Illinois College permanent collection thanks to a donation from the Belleville Rotary Club. The piece is made of red (flamed) box elder wood that results from a fungus brought into the tree by the box elder beetle. The piece is the work of Florida artist John Mascoll. Each year, Belleville Rotary Club purchases a piece of art at Art on the Square and donates it to a public institution in Belleville. Pictured at a recent presentation are, from left: William and Florence Schmidt Art Center Curator Nicole Dutton; a Belleville Rotary Club Past President Barb Cempura; SWIC President Georgia Costello, Ph.D.; Belleville Rotary Club President Will Shannon; SWIC Foundation Executive Director and Belleville Rotary Club Member Haley Thompson; and Schmidt Art Center Curatorial Assistant Jessica Mannisi. SWIC photo