Fort Wayne Museum of Art hosts artwork from Whitley County Consolidated Schools (WCCS) students honoring Robert (Bob) Schuman.
The Columbia City High School students from Eagle Tech Academy have committed to creating and exhibiting artwork for Dia de los Muertos or The Day of the Dead to honor Mr. Schuman. The 7 students planned and crafted an altar to celebrate the life of local servant Bob Schuman, including two of his granddaughters. They set up their art on October 10 with a field trip to The Fort Wayne Museum of Art.
“My whole family was honored when we found out the display would be made on my grandpa this year. He loved this community wholeheartedly, and it has been incredible to experience the love our community had for him in return. Although most of my classmates never got to meet Papa, they brought our vision to life, and the display is truly a great representation of him. It was very special to help build the display with my cousin, Torah, and my grandma surprised us by showing up when we built the display. It was an experience that we will always hold near to our hearts,” said Karaline Schuman, Eagle Tech Academy student.
Columbia City High School students from Eagle Tech Academy that completed the project for the museum were: Torah Holler, Lillian Joseph, Samatha Lickey, Cecilia Noonen, Karaline Schuman, Selah Wagner, and Riley Zimmerman. Torah and Karaline are Bob’s granddaughters.
Bob Schuman was a lifelong resident of Whitley County and involved with the Whitley County 4-H, Columbia City FFA, and local congregation at Columbia City First Church of God. He graduated with the Class of 1977 from Columbia City Joint High School where he played football and basketball. Bob held many positions with local employers throughout his career.
“This has become an annual project for us at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Their plans changed multiple times and it looks amazing. These students represented our school and community very well, I’m so proud of them. It was quite a beautiful thing to see family members of Bob taking part in the display,” said Mrs. Nancy Beyhan, Spanish I-III teacher.
Bob’s wife, Cheryl, and daughter, Shelbie Holler, met up with students at the museum to see their work and thank them for their dedication to Bob. Shelbie is also a CCHS employee for Eagle Tech Academy.
The Spanish I students also visited the museum for classwork connections and to see the work that their fellow academy students completed.
The students’ art display was selected through an application process and will be on display at the Museum of Art through December.
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Photos Submitted. Captions from top left to right.
Columbia City ETA students complete a display Dia de los Muertos or The Day of the Dead to honor Mr. Schuman.
Spanish I students tour the museum.
Shelbie Holler, Nancy Beyhan, Cherly Schuman.
Granddaugthers, Karaline Schuman and Torah Holler, stand with grandmother, Cheryl Schuman.
Far right, Karaline and Torah record a message about the class’ project for the museum.