Senior Sculpture Installed
As Commencement approaches for the Class of 2019, one senior has been hard at work ensuring he leaves his mark on campus. Nestled between the St. Mark’s Chapel and the Decherd fine arts wing is a six-foot-tall wooden sculpture created by Daniel Mirochna ’19. Under the direction of John Frost, industrial arts teacher, Daniel’s piece is the first in what will become an annual tradition.
“This is intended to be a final capstone senior project that will be replaced every spring by a member of the rising senior class,” Mr. Frost said. “My hope is that each year, a student has the opportunity to create something on a large public scale that challenges the community to consider and appreciate something from a new and different perspective.”
Throughout the year, seniors in Mr. Frost’s Advanced Honors Wood & Metal class submitted scale models and written proposals, with Daniel’s piece ultimately being selected by a faculty panel. Since then, Daniel has worked tirelessly to get the piece finished and installed in time for the 2019 Baccalaureate ceremony.
“I wanted to use a contrast of textures to emphasize how unrefined we are before we enter St. Mark’s,” Daniel explained. “The two curving figures that appear to be leaning on each other represent the brotherhood we form at St. Mark’s. We are taught to be able to rely on and count on our friends and classmates.”
To build the sculpture, Daniel cut cedar planks to length, glued them together, and used a hand grinder and belt sander to finalize the shape. To make the curves, he used a bandsaw to cut a few pieces at a time. Finally, the multiple layers of the sculpture were secured with bolts, and the entire piece was installed on a cement base.
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“This is intended to be a final capstone senior project that will be replaced every spring by a member of the rising senior class,” Mr. Frost said. “My hope is that each year, a student has the opportunity to create something on a large public scale that challenges the community to consider and appreciate something from a new and different perspective.”
Throughout the year, seniors in Mr. Frost’s Advanced Honors Wood & Metal class submitted scale models and written proposals, with Daniel’s piece ultimately being selected by a faculty panel. Since then, Daniel has worked tirelessly to get the piece finished and installed in time for the 2019 Baccalaureate ceremony.
“I wanted to use a contrast of textures to emphasize how unrefined we are before we enter St. Mark’s,” Daniel explained. “The two curving figures that appear to be leaning on each other represent the brotherhood we form at St. Mark’s. We are taught to be able to rely on and count on our friends and classmates.”
To build the sculpture, Daniel cut cedar planks to length, glued them together, and used a hand grinder and belt sander to finalize the shape. To make the curves, he used a bandsaw to cut a few pieces at a time. Finally, the multiple layers of the sculpture were secured with bolts, and the entire piece was installed on a cement base.
“Daniel’s piece was the unanimous winner due to the thoughtful concept relating to his perspective of the St. Mark’s experience, married with a visually engaging and dynamic form,” Mr. Frost said. “His proposal was sincere, and the passion behind his vision was obvious.”
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Daniel Mirochna ’19 stands next to his sculpture.
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St. Mark’s School of Texas
10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
About Us
St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
