"Art is not for the cultivated taste. It is to cultivate taste." ~ poet Nikki Giovanni

LOWELL | More than 30 years ago, Lowell High School art teacher Tom Sufana envisioned a school building that would also serve as an art gallery, surrounding students with fine and folk art from around the world.

In 2005, that became a reality with the unveiling of the school's "Fine Art Collection and Objets d' Art," more than 100 pieces anchored by Sculpture #1, the steel work by Czechoslovakian-born artist Ann Singer.

Very popular in the 1960s, Singer's four steel art sculptures were part of an Art Institute of Chicago exhibit in October of 1967.

Now, thanks to the generosity of two student organizations, all four sculptures have found a new home as part of the permanent collection at Lowell High School.

The LHS Student Council, which helped to launch the collection with $3,000 in seed money in 2004 and purchased five pieces in 2005, bought one of the two, recently-added Singer sculptures. The other was purchased by the LHS Theatre Arts Department.

Katelyn Kutemeier, student council president, said the council was approached by Sufana and found the purchase an easy decision. "It's something different and unique that other schools don't have...it's an honor, and the student council wanted to continue it."

Theatre Director Kevin Deal said the Singer sculpture is the second piece purchased by the theatre department. The first was in recognition of his first group of seniors.

The new Singer work from the theatre department was bought last year with profits from the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" and the drama "Our Town." Deal said that since it was his fourth year as theatre director, the newest sculpture was donated in recognition of his first graduating class, the Lowell High School Class of 2008.

"I continue to be impressed with the incredible art collection that we have at the high school," Deal said, adding, "Since we are a group dedicated to promoting the appreciation of art in the community, I thought it would be fitting to use some of our resources to continually add to the high school collection."

Those attending the current production of Neil Simon's comedy "Rumors" will have an up close opportunity to view the most recent Singer sculptures. One is located in the LHS auditorium lobby, while the other faces west on the exterior of the auditorium.

Sufana, who is busy updating the catalog of works for an expected showing in 2009, said the collection is truly multicultural and now numbers more than 200 pieces.

In addition to the Singer sculptures, the collection includes an Intaglio etching print of Rembrandt's "Landscape with a Cow" that was purchased through the Tri-Creek Education Foundation, as well as a cast cement sprite by Frank Lloyd Wright. Many of the pieces have been donated by Sufana from his personal collection.

BREAKOUT

To see the new Singer sculptures as well as other art pieces placed in the auditorium area and enjoy an evening at the theatre, attend one of the remaining performances of "Rumors" at 7 p.m. today and Saturday or 2 p.m. Sunday at Lowell High School, 2051 E. Commercial Ave., Lowell.

Tickets are $5 for students and senior citizens, and $7 for adults.

FYI: Call (219) 696-7733.