The School of Art Collection and Galleries is pleased to announce "Metamorphosis," a permanent sculptural installation created by Violet Maimbourg, a Master of Fine Arts graduate student at Ը University. The work was created for the Healing Garden at the University Hospital Portage Medical Center, offering visitors a space for reflection and peace.
This commission grew out of the School of Art’s annual outdoor student exhibition in the Healing Garden. When the opportunity for a permanent piece arose in spring 2025, Director of Exhibitions and Collections Anderson Turner sought a student with the technical expertise and artistic vision to meet the challenge.
“After consulting with our sculpture faculty, Violet’s name immediately came up,” said Turner. “The ability to weld and fabricate on a large scale is rare skillset for a student in an academic setting. Violet is truly exceptional—one of those once-in-a-great-while students with the skills and creativity to make this happen.”
Maimbourg, who earned her undergraduate degree at the Cleveland Institute of Art before joining Ը in fall 2024, is a multidisciplinary artist with experience in film and diverse media. She chose Ը for its teaching opportunities, faculty mentorship and resources. For "Metamorphosis," Violet proposed the design and materials, collaborating closely with Turner to stay within budget while realizing their vision.
“I really wanted to show what I’m capable of with metal and welding,” said Maimbourg. “This project was a chance to flex those skills and hopefully open doors for future public art commissions. It was a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but I’m grateful to the University Hospital Portage Medical Center, School of Art Tech Kaitlyn Baird, and Assistant Gallery Director Karl Anderson for their help at different stages. I’m also deeply thankful to the family of Gertrude M. Petsche, whose generous donation made this sculpture possible.”
A commemorative plaque will soon be installed alongside the sculpture, reading:
Metamorphosis, 2025, steel, by Violet Maimbourg. May you find peace in the Healing Garden. In loving memory of our mother, Gertrude M. Petsche.
For more information, contact Director of Exhibitions and Collections, Anderson Turner at haturner@kent.edu
For more information about the artist, visit .
All photos by Paige Marguiles