On August 22, over eighty guests attended an unveiling ceremony at Shee Highland Musée in Highland Park.  Artist Shee presented his latest creations, “Peace” and “Hope”, in his garden.  Flowers and trees surround the two sculptures, made from oak, steel and masonry.  Most of the plants and trees in the garden were personally planted by Shee. 

The ceremony began with a string quartet whose members attend Midwest Young Artists, a renowned music school.  The musicians performed Mozart string quartets No. 155 and 166.

Shee welcomed the crowd and thanked everyone for attending, manifesting their love for art.  Shee introduced two special guests:  Michael Belsky, Mayor of Highland Park, and Dr. Gloria Groom, curator of The Art Institute of Chicago.

Shee said his nine-foot sculpture “Peace” is made of three sections.  Each section can be rotated 360 degrees.  The base is made from an entire piece of oak and weighs 1000 lbs.  The trunk is 120 years old.  White and men of color hold hands and embrace each other.  The oak sculpture shows love for humanity, trees and nature.  The figures give the "thumbs up" sign in approval of environmental protection and peace. 

The middle section, made of treated wood to portray the wish for permanence, shows the Chinese character "peace" in a three- dimensional form.  The upper section is a white dove which represents peace.  Some people noticed that the dove has a head and tail, but no body.  Shee explained that we have not yet attained world peace and needs everyone around the world to help in this endeavor.  When we achieve world peace, he will finish the sculpture.

Dr. Groom said that she has studied artwork by many artists and sees uniqueness in Shee’s style of art.  She recalls that, ten years ago, she attended Shee’s oil painting exhibition in Tokyo's Meguro Museum.  She told the audience in Tokyo that artist Shee was similar to Paul Gauguin, both artists without formal art training, but with very different personalities.

Soprano Wendy Mineau from Highland Park Music Club sang "Let there be Peace on Earth".  Her voice filled the garden, and the combination of live music and beautiful scenery delighted the audience.  Wendy's second song, "God Bless America", was equally inspiring.

Shee directed visitors to his second sculpture, “Hope”.  The five-foot statue is a large, nude, mother figure, in white with a pink scarf.  She sits with dignity, on an oak trunk, with right hand raised and a far-away gaze.    She has faith there is good among us.  Shee pointed out that we have to go to the root of human nature to find hope.  Mothers symbolize hope. 

Mayor of Highland Park Michael Belsky stated that the city is fortunate and proud to have artwork by artist-in-residence Shee.  Mayor Belsky recommended that The Art Center of Highland Park hold a solo exhibition by Shee in March, 2011.  He projected that attendance for such an event could exceed attendance at past exhibitions.  He encouraged participation at the solo exhibition and extended his good wishes.  Afterwards, everyone went inside to view Shee's one hundred oil paintings and enjoy wine and refreshments.