A student-designed mixed media art installation created through the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency (AAESA) Tech Center was unveiled at the Allegan County Courthouse on Friday, June 26. The artwork highlights the creativity, technical skills, and collaboration of Tech Center students and staff while commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the role of the judicial system in upholding the nation’s founding principles.
The unveiling ceremony was hosted by District Court Judge Christopher Burnett. Members of the Allegan County Board of Commissioners also participated, with Commissioner Craig Van Beek offering the opening prayer and Commissioner Gale Dugan leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
The project began after Michigan Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh encouraged courts across the state to recognize the nation’s 250th anniversary and reflect on the judiciary’s role in protecting the rights and freedoms established in the Declaration of Independence. Inspired by that message, Allegan County court leaders invited the AAESA Tech Center to design and build a piece that represented those values through student learning and hands-on application.
Graphic Art & Design students developed several design concepts, and the final design was created by Jadelynn Hooper, a senior from Martin High School. Her design blended symbolic elements of the Declaration of Independence, the judicial system, freedom, and those who have served to protect democracy.
Bringing the design to life required collaboration across multiple Tech Center programs. Graphic Art & Design, Engineering, Electronics & Robotics, and Welding students and staff worked together to transform the concept into a three-dimensional installation using stainless steel, wood, acrylic, and metal materials.
Valli Virgo-Caperton, Graphic Art & Design Instructor, highlighted the collaborative nature of the work. “It was a true team effort across departments, and everyone brought something different to the table to help make the final piece possible.”
Students were involved in early design development, while instructors guided advanced production work, including laser cutting, use of a new plasma cutting machine, and precision assembly of mixed materials. The project also gave meaningful opportunities for students and staff to build skills, troubleshoot challenges, and apply new technologies in a real-world setting.
Over approximately two months, staff and students worked closely to refine materials, file formats, and fabrication techniques, adjusting the design as needed throughout the production process.
The finished artwork is now displayed at the Allegan County Courthouse, where it serves as a lasting representation of the nation’s history and the role of the judicial system. It also reflects the creativity, technical ability, and collaboration that define learning at the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency Tech Center.
