GEORGETOWN PREPARATORY SCHOOL’S DEDICATION AND CHERRYLION’S BRONZE RELIEFS.
Newly installed Georgetown Preparatory School Reliefs.
Photos provided by Tumey. Georgetown 9’ x 5’ bronze reliefs, DC 2022
Opening its doors in 1789, Georgetown Preparatory School, located in North Bethesda, Maryland, is known for its rich history as being the oldest Catholic boarding and secondary day school for young men in the states. Georgetown Prep underwent a major renovation for its campus by erecting a new football stadium. November 5th, 2022, Georgetown Prep celebrated their William V. Bidwill ’49 Stadium opening with a lively weekend by hosting an Alumni Reunion, football homecoming game and two beautiful bronze commemorative plaques by Cherrylion Studios.
Cherrylion was privileged with participating in the opening of Georgetown’s new stadium by the creation of two plaques located at the stadium’s entrance. On one plaque, Georgetown wished to honor Coach Jim Fegan, who was coined ‘the heart of Georgetown’s football and athletics for 61 years’, and late Jesuit Father Aloysius Galvin, a beloved counselor and teacher. The second plaque depicts William V. Bidwill, who helped Georgetown build their football team up to the national level. But how does something like this get fabricated?
Creating something this large is quite the task, especially when you have to do it twice! Cherrylion’s sculptor Martin Dawe clearly loves a challenge by taking on larger pieces. The process started by creating a large enough surface to support these 9′ x 5′ reliefs, then plasticine was added for the sculpting to begin. Cherrylion’s Martin Dawe and local artist Andrew Cook used reference photos of those who the plaques are dedicated for to obtain their likeness. Later, Dawe had letters 3D printed for the dedication at the bottom of each plaque that were measured and meticulously placed by hand. Our master mold maker Alex Hunley, along with assistance from Yale University MFA graduate Susan Krause and local artist Maria Carter, created the rubber molds that then get sent off to the foundry for the bronze to be cast. From foundry, to install site, these large reliefs made for a wonderful final touch to Georgetown’s historical dedication.
To visit Catholic Standard’s article, click here.
To visit Georgetown Prep’s article, click here.
To see more of the installed reliefs, check out Georgetown Prep’s video click here.
