MURAL ADDS TO PUBLIC-SPACE ART

The use of public buildings as art has its place in civilized society. Walk to the center of the rotunda in our nation's capitol or the Missouri capitol in Jefferson City and look up. The sense of space and scale can have a powerful impact, even though it would be difficult to justify any utilitarian purpose for having a rotunda in the first place.

Government buildings constructed before the second half of the last century usually conveyed a certain grandeur. Look at county courthouses built in the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century. They tend to be architecturally stylish in ways that convey both pride and power. Look at most public buildings constructed in the latter half of the 20th century. They tend to be little more than square boxes with virtually every square inch dedicated to some useful purpose whether it be a court of law or a supply storeroom. The new Thomas Eagleton Federal Building in St. Louis, dedicated this week, is one of the few examples of a modern government building that makes an effort to incorporate a sense of architectural majesty.

School buildings were once masterpieces of building art, sometimes with a bit of whimsy thrown in for good measure. Nowadays, public school districts try to stretch every dollar as far as it will go, and few modern schools go to any effort to grab the emotions of onlookers. The Jackson School District's Math and Science Building, which opened a couple of years ago, at least retains some artistic elements.

It is against this context that a brick mural 45 feet long and 7 feet high was commissioned for the exterior of St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. The mural overlooks the healing garden between the medical center and the Healing Arts Building.

The mural commemorates the medical center's 125th year of service to the community and depicts scenes that show all four locations that St. Francis has occupied throughout the years.

The mural is the work of Jay Tschetter of Lincoln, Neb., who sculpted and fired the bricks at his studio and then oversaw the assembly of the mural on the medical center's wall.

The mural is a major piece of outdoor art, joining the Stroup fountain and plaza at Southeast Missouri State University, which was dedicated last year.

Such public art makes a contribution to a community that is significant, lasting and uplifting.