26 | THEBURGNEWS.COM | 10.20
A
s the late afternoon sun set across
Harrisburg on a hot summer day, a
ribbon-cutting ceremony took place
on the state Capitol grounds for the
Commonwealth Monument Project.
What is that? It's a glinting set of cast sculptures,
"A Gathering At e Crossroads: For Such A Time
As is," created as a testament to Harrisburg's rich
African American history and commemorating
the 150th and 100th anniversaries of passage
of the 15th and 19th amendments to the U.S.
Constitution.
It also stands as the pinnacle of a year's worth of
impassioned labor and sweat by its creator, ART
Research Enterprises of Lancaster.
ART Research Enterprises is a company
specializing in art casting and fabrication, as well
as the conservation and restoration of art and
architectural objects. Artists Becky Ault and Mike
Cunningham founded the company some 40 years
ago in Cunningham's garage before moving to its
present location outside of Lancaster.
Today, the company runs between 10 and 30
employees, depending on which projects are underway.
Its repertoire includes sculptures, memorials,
architectural sculptures and restoration work.
"We do everything from 60-foot sculptures to
coffee tables," Ault said. "We've also done work
for the Franklin Mint, but mostly, we work
for ourselves."
MONUMENTAL
CONCERN
Central PA company
has carved out a business
from sculpture.
BY PHYLLIS ZIMMERMAN
Mary Wells Monument
