Eight-Foot Sculpture Created by Local Business for Cancer Fundraiser

The owner of Manchester's Prestige Auto Body, David Ludwig, has combined his commitment to the community, his skills as an auto body technician and his artistic vision for a good cause. This time Ludwig is creating a commemorative bust sculpture for display at this year's Bra Bank event at the Mall of New Hampshire.

The month-long event will be centered around the eight-foot tall bank being constructed by the Prestige Auto Body. The sculpture will sit in the center court of the mall. The public will be able to make cash donations to the New Hampshire Breast Cancer Coalition from October 6 to October 27.

Ludwig first applied his artistic ability, creating an aluminum Pink Ribbon sculpture for the Bras Across the River events in 2010 and 2011. The sculpture has been used since then as a traveling display and people sign the ribbon to commemorate their own battle with breast cancer. That sculpture will also be present at this year's Bra Bank event.

Ludwig's company, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, is offering its skills to create a show-stopping bust as the focal point for the 2012 event. The sculpture's design and construction began in June with pencil drawings and dimensions. After creating a frame with metal wire, the bust was formed and shaped with foam and fiberglass resin. The final shaping is being completed using plastic body filler. The bust will be finished with acrylic urethane paint, the same paint Prestige uses on most car projects. 

I can't think of a better way to celebrate my 25th year in business than to do something to support my community, raise money for a meaningful cause, and also show off the craftsmanship that the entire Prestige team provides every day. I hope this will be as meaningful to the community as it is to me, said Ludwig.

The finished sculpture dons a custom bra made by Martin's House of Cloth in Bedford, and Velcro will provide a display wall where those who donate can write a message on a pink bra for display.

The Bra Bank fundraiser was created by WZID and is presented by Velcro. For more information about the kick off event, donations, and photos of the creation of the Bra Bank, visit www.WZIDBraBank.org. More information about Prestige is available at www.prestigeab.com or by phone at (603) 669-0015.