Lakewood, Ohio -- Many changes, from those easily recognized to those less apparent, are occurring around the Beck Center for the Arts campus.

You may have noticed while traveling down Detroit Avenue that the landscape has changed. Beautiful trees, shrubs and rose bushes now line the Beck Center’s entrance drive. This was the big project early last month as Matthew Carlson, a “Life” scout with Troop 435 of the Lakewood LDS Church chose the Beck Center for his Eagle Scout project. Matt worked tirelessly with 30 other members from his troop, along with additional volunteers and Beck staff as the rainy morning turned into blue skies and sunshine. They worked for hours digging out the old and planting the new.

“Our goal was to create an inviting and relaxing green space,” says Cindy Einhouse, Beck Center’s President and CEO. “The landscaping has been a major improvement to the curb appeal of our property for, not only Beck Center patrons and students, but the community as well. We are grateful to Matt and his Troop for their hard work.”

This fall Matt will be in the 8th grade at Garfield Middle School. He has been in Scouts since the first grade and has achieved the Arrow of Light Award and many other scouting honors. Matt is currently working on his Eagle rank and serves as the Den Chief for Pack 115 of the Lakewood Presbyterian Church. In addition to the landscaping project, the Beck Center continues its dedication to preserving its cultural legacy.

Residents may have noticed the recent return of Beck Center’s David Davis sculpture after significant restoration was completed by McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc. This sculpture, commissioned by renowned architect Fred Toguchi in 1976, had seriously deteriorated over the past 30+ years. Restoration was entirely paid for by restricted gifts from some sculpture-loving friends and is estimated to last at least another 30 years.

For more information about this and other upcoming Beck Center projects contact Yvette Hanzel at 216.521.2540 ext. 22.