Neenah Foundry Makes Its Mark on the Streets
of Appleton, Wisconsin

Wednesday, July 20, 2011, Neenah, WI

Have you ever noticed artwork on the manhole covers in Appleton, Wis.? As a part of "The Compassion Project," Neenah Foundry helped create manhole covers that represent compassion in the streets in our community.

The Compassion Project is a collaboration that involves the community and art. In 2010, The Trout Museum gave students in the Appleton area school districts a six-by-six inch art panel to depict their idea of compassion.

Rob Neilson, Lawrence University's Frederic R. Layton, Professor of Art, came up with the idea during a trip to Japan. He saw an artist-designed manhole cover of Nelson Mandela and instantly thought of compassion. Neilson wanted to collaborate with Neenah Foundry, based in nearby Neenah, Wis., for years so he took this inspiration and brought the idea to the table.

Neenah has been part of the community for almost 140 years, and when we found out that the nearby Lawrence University was getting involved in the city's Compassion Project, we decided to participate.

"I like getting involved in projects that involve this area," says Neenah Foundry's Director of Corporate Pattern Shops, Tim Law. "We love to work with the community whenever we get the chance."

Law worked with Neilson to put compassion artwork on the manhole covers in the streets of Appleton.

"Our functionality of manhole covers and Lawrence's artwork made the perfect pair for The Compassion Project," says Law. "We both wanted to support the community, so Neenah made the manhole cover donation to make it happen."

Neenah gave Lawrence's intermediate and advanced sculpture students dense foam blanks to create their designs. They gathered inspiration from their favorite artists and reading books on compassion.

Neenah worked with the Department of Public Works to get the correct sizes for the manhole covers, and once the students' designs were created, we brought them to Neenah to create the manhole covers. Here, they were able to watch their artwork come to life from start to finish.

The compassion manhole covers are located on Lawrence University's College Avenue in Appleton.

Already, Law has received very positive feedback.

"I've heard a number of contacts from within our company and outside that just think this is a neat project," says Law. "It's exciting that Neenah is a part of something like this."

Neenah has really made a mark on the streets of this city. Check out this YouTube video to learn more about The Compassion Project.

About Neenah Enterprises, Inc. and Neenah Foundry Company

Neenah Enterprises, Inc. is the indirect parent holding company of Neenah Foundry Company. Neenah Foundry Company and its subsidiaries manufacture and market a wide range of iron castings and steel forgings for the heavy municipal market and selected segments of the industrial markets. Neenah is one of the largest independent foundry companies in the United States, with substantial market share in the municipal and various industrial markets for gray and ductile iron castings and forged steel products. Additional information about Neenah is available on the company's website at www.nfco.com.