Laborers 393 recently installed a 2,800 pound sculpture outside of its union hall. for complete details see http://www.mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=452539

Here's the complete story on the new 393 sculpture...

Walter S. Arnold began carving stone at the age of twelve in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. At twenty, he traveled to Italy to begin his apprenticeship in marble carving.

Following his training under Italian master stone carvers, Mr. Arnold spent five years from 1980-1985 working on the Washington National Cathedral in D.C., and then established his studio in Chicago in 1985. He is fluent in styles ranging from Classical and Renaissance to Gothic, Baroque and Arts & Crafts. Known especially for his gargoyles, Mr. Arnold also creates unique fireplaces, fountains, architectural carvings and sculpture for private residences, institutions and commercial buildings throughout the United States and Canada.

The Journeyman Stonecutters Association of North America is the oldest, and perhaps the smallest, active union in North America. Based on a tradition dating back to the mason’s lodges of the middle ages, the International Union was founded in 1853. Many of the individual locals began in the 1820's and 30's, and the Washington Stonecutters are said to have marched as a body at the laying of the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol in 1792. The Stonecutters merged with the Laborers International Union of North America in 1968. A member of LIUNA for over 30 years, Mr. Arnold is one of the few remaining union stonecutters in the country.

The sculpture of Mr. Arnold has been presented in one-man exhibitions at the Albin Polasek Museum, Winter Park, FL; The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Elmhurst, IL; The Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL; The Orland Park Public Library, Orland Park, IL, and the Village of Lincolnwood, IL City hall.

The Art Institute of Chicago, University of Chicago, Boston University, and the Chicago Architecture Foundation, are just a few of the nationally recognized universities, museums and organizations that have invited Mr. Arnold to present lectures on the history, technique and application of architectural and sculptural stone carving. In October, 2009, he was elected to his fourth term as president of Stone Carvers Guild of America. Arnold designed and created his web site, http://www.stonecarver.com in 1994. In 2009, his book Staglieno: The Art of the Marble Carver was published by Edgecliff Press, LLC.