photo by: The Mispagel family | Special to the Journal-World

De Soto High School art teacher Tim Mispagel was commissioned by Benedictine College, his alma mater, to create a sculpture of St. Benedict with the school mascot, a raven. "I wanted to portray a strong figure," Mispagel said. "St. Benedict was a very centered person, and I wanted to show that in my work; I wanted to avoid any signs of frailty."

photo by: The Mispagel family | Special to the Journal-World

De Soto High School art teacher Tim Mispagel works on the head of St. Benedict in his home studio. Mispagel was commissioned by Benedictine College, his alma mater, to create a sculpture of the saint with the school mascot, a raven. "This sculpture is the biggest thing I've done in my art career," Mispagel said. "I'm very honored that I was able to give back to my alma mater and excited to be a part of its growth."

photo by: The Mispagel family | Special to the Journal-World

De Soto High School art teacher Tim Mispagel was commissioned by Benedictine College, his alma mater, to create a sculpture of St. Benedict with the school mascot, a raven. "The special thing about sculpture is that it's interactive. People can walk around a sculpture and touch it; it's meant to be touched," Mispagel said. "I really tried to play with the texture of the piece to encourage viewers to reach out and touch."

photo by: Laura Herring

De Soto High School art teacher Tim Mispagel gathers sticks and branches for students to use in found-object scupltures on Thursday, April 7, 2011. Mispagel regularly takes his students into the wooded areas near DHS to find materials and inspiration. "Sculpture is about form and imitating movement and life," Mispagel said. "I like to do all I can to remind my students that sculpture doesn't have to be restricted to just clay."