Munising Public Schools celebrated local artist Frank Castiglione with a dedication to his Mustang sculpture located in front of the Middle/High School on Sat., Sept. 9. Roughly 40 people came out to share stories of the artist, who was described as creative, courageous and supportive.
“To prepare today, we talked to many local artists, friends and family, and all of them had so many wonderful things to say,” Munising Middle/High School Principal Nicole Lasak said to start the ceremony. “He was friendly to everyone and cared deeply for the community.”
Married to a now-retired Munising Public Schools employee, Castiglione used metal as his primary medium. Focusing on scrap metal and using torchwork or other blacksmithing techniques, his work was unique amongst local artists. Some of his work is available at the school library and other pieces are available at U.P. Scales Art downtown.
Castiglione completed the sculpture and brought it to the school for storage before passing away in 2016.
“This makes our family really happy and proud,” Frank’s wife Susan Castiglione said. “We’re proud because Frank would have been elated to have his work out in public. That’s what he worked towards: making sure that the community was enriched by art.”
According to Castiglione, Frank put a lot of time into the Mustang sculpture. Not sure where it would be placed, the sculpture is made out of rebar strong enough to withstand any weather concerns. Frank drew some sketches off of various photos of mustangs and stallions in motion, then built various jigs to shape the rebar before welding all the pieces together.
With the extra dedication to detail, the statue shows life through the shape of the horse head and the mane flying back in the wind.
“See how he was able to capture movement, with the mane in the wind, head held high heading into the fray,” she said.
The statue is placed outside the front of the middle/high school main entrance in a green space now known as Kienitz Island, named after boys basketball coach Terry Kienitz for leading the Mustangs to the 2023 MHSAA state basketball championship. The area sees a lot of activity from classes learning out on the lawn to kids playing football while waiting for their parents to pick them up.
Since installation, Lasak said that the statue has become an immediate focal point for the school grounds. Tourists, locals and fans of opposing schools often take picture of the work, including local photographer Kevin Dunham. One of Dunham’s photos was printed out for Susan as part of the school’s recognition of Castiglione. A decorative stone base and plaque celebrating Castiglione’s work and dedication to the community will be installed soon next to the sculpture.
Moving forward, Castiglione said she hopes the community will continue appreciating what the sculpture symbolizes and uses that fortifying message.
“We’re hoping that the sculpture is a source of continued inspiration for Munising,” Castiglione said. “It has a fierceness of spirit that people couldn’t put down.”
