Laura Ramberg, a Lawrence artist, uses an air tool to cut out the shape of a lion on a 3,000-pound slab of cottonwood limestone. The lion relief sculpture will be part of the future Wall of Pride that will be installed on a lobby wall of the new Lansing High School auditorium. The Lion Relief Sculpture, which measures 4 feet by 9 feet, is currently in the process of being sculpted for the future Wall of Pride.

These Terracotta Decorative tiles were made by Ramberg as part of the Wall of Pride project. The handmade tiles of a lion's face will be sold in two different sizes for either 5 or 5.

In a studio nestled in a grove of trees just outside Lawrence, an artist leans over a 3,000-pound block of cottonwood limestone slowly bringing forth the image of a massive lion.

With an air tool in hand, artist Laura Ramberg chips away at the native Kansas stone, producing the strong but benevolent face of a lion that will soon represent the pride so many residents of Lansing feel toward their students and schools.

The relief sculpture, which measures 4-by-9 feet, will anchor a Wall of Pride that will cover a 27-by-9-foot area within the new Lansing High School auditorium’s lobby.

The wall, a gift from the Lansing Education Foundation Fund, will include the lion sculpture surrounded by tiles engraved with the names of Lansing residents who purchase part of this piece of history.

“Lansing is a great place to live, and we have really good schools,” said Mary Alice Schroeger, foundation fund director. “We call it the Wall of Pride because the community is proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

Planning for the wall, which Schroeger described as a collaboration among the artist, LEFF committee members and district art teachers, started in June. Ramberg said her favorite part of the process was the research involved before she touched a piece of stone.

In June, Ramberg traveled to Italy. The previously planned trip coincided perfectly with her research, and she photographed and sketched famous lions in art from across the world.

Ramberg had no idea just how much this newest assignment would affect her.

While visiting the Topeka Zoo, Ramberg sat and watched a lion sleep for more than an hour. Slowly the lion began to wake and took interest in her. She said the big creature stood up, walked straight toward her and the two made eye contact.

“It was thrilling,” she said. “I knew there is some innate energy and power in those animals. They have a spirit that’s amazing.”

Her goal is to capture that essence of a lion and show the serious – but not scary – side the creatures possess.

Ramberg also has been creating decorative terra cotta tiles of a lion’s face that will be sold along with the wall tiles where the names are engraved. The wall tiles will cost between $100 and $1,000, depending on the size.

In addition to her artwork, Ramberg will visit art classes throughout the district and give lessons to Lansing students. She will visit each class for two days, giving a talk on the history of the lion art and lions throughout culture and participating in a sculpture art project.

“I’m looking forward to the teaching and sharing with the kids,” Ramberg said.

Ramberg said she hopes to have the giant relief sculpture done by March. The wall, including the sculpture and the tiles sold in the first phase of sales, will be installed next summer.