The Voice

Issue date: 5/7/07 Section: Inside WCC

Media Credit: Michael Fitzgerald Matthew Segal and Kari Thurman working on an art project for Recyclemania.

Media Credit: Michael Fitzgerald Raphael Baran and Garret Patrick put the finishing touches on the installation piece dedicated to their classmate by adding a Japanese cherry blossom tree at the top of a path of twigs and branches.

Students in Matthew Shlian's Three-Dimensional Design class were shocked to hear one of their own had been in an automobile collision and passed away this past semester.

Matthew Segal, age 19, had been an avid art student and was fondly remembered by classmates for his positive demeanor. During his time at WCC, Segal created an art piece for Student Activities' Recyclemania contest.

The student's future plans were to attend Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia after his classes at WCC. He had recently asked Shlian for a letter of recommendation.

A remembrance was held as students finished construction on an installation piece on a hill north of the walkway between the GM and LA buildings, overlooking their classroom in LA 172. Segal's mother, father, aunt, and uncle were among those in attendance.

The installation, inspired by Segal's work in the class, is a path of carefully laid twigs rising up the hill. Each twig is stripped to its bark in an individual way that creates a triangular pattern as the hill rises. At the end of the path, a Japanese cherry blossom tree is planted.

"We wanted something that would blossom," Shlian said, describing the piece to Segal's family members.

Shlian, who hadn't seen the installation until the day of dedication due to medical problems, was particularly impressed with his students. The instructor praised their careful attention to detail, especially the "tiny-ness" of the stripped bark on the twigs at the very top of the hill.

One ART 108 student, Sariah D'Angelo, shared a piece of prose written in remembrance of Segal, noting that the student became more than, "the person sitting next to us." D'Angelo and her family donated food for the event.

Stuart Segal, Matthew's father, personally thanked the students for their work and wanted everyone to know that his son valued his education in the arts at WCC very highly. Matthew greatly enjoyed being at home for his school after a year away at a college in Wisconsin.

"He loved this school," Segal's father said.

The art students offered the recently planted tree to the parents to take home with them, noting it was still in its pot. Instead, Segal's father asked for the tree to stay where it was.

"Seems perfect there," Segal's father observed.

Art instructor Elaine Wilson said she would ask maintenance to preserve the installation for as long as they could.

Garrett Patrick, a graphic design student, remembers Segal for his optimistic attitude.

"He always had something nice to say," Patrick said.

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