News

There are two amazing things about Courthouse 1's rotunda. First, obviously, is its height. Second, and not so obvious, is the detail not necessarily visible to the naked eye. 

This molding is found above the lunette murals found atop the entrances to the two large courtrooms on the second floor. After the off-white paint is taken away, more details become visible because the color is not longer uniform. The contrast helps the eye understand there's "something" there even if the eye can't easily make it out. Astonishingly, there's more than shades of tan up there. If you look closely you can see a green color. 

Why do architects and designers bother with this type of detail when it's too far away for humans to really see? In the time when Gothic cathedrals were built (beginning in the late 1100s of the common era), artists included many kinds of details that the humans on the ground would never really see. For example, eyes and pupils carved into the gargoyles on a cathedral. But, in the minds of those artists, the Christian God would be able to see those details. To skip those details would have been a form of dishonesty before their God. 

Over the centuries the practice remains but the reasons have evolved. The idea of "integrity of detail" or "material honesty" means that an artist doesn't take the easy way out by omitting things the eye won't see. By including details invisible to the naked eye, the artist continues the same level of care in the craftsmanship that they exercised with the larger elements. 

Modern-day artists argue that the human brain detects the differences created by the details even if the eyes can't distinguish them. The brain "knows" those details are there. The overall effect is to create a feeling of completeness that leaves the mind satisfied rather than a vague sense of disappointment. 

This image shows the dome of Courthouse 1 before the scaffolding went up.  If you look at the center with the illuminated glass you can't see all the details. But a look from the very top of the scaffolding reveals a surprisingly large amount of molding and color. 

For example, who knew there is a strip of light blue up there? Or that there are patterns of squares along the edge of the skylight? Or that the shapes feature slightly different shades of yellows and golds? Or that there are brackets and other architectural features up there? 

There are more surprises to share with you soon. 

Bill Wilson

Thanks to the kindness of Conrad Scmitt Studios, I was able to ascend the scaffolding in the rotunda of Courthouse 1 in early March. Joining me were Judges Broden and Manier, along with St. Joseph County Council President Bryan Tanner, and members Amy Drake and Randy Figg. Rounding out the group was Notre Dame Professor of Architecture Duncan Stroik. In late February, another group of courthouse personnel were able to take the same journey. Bryon Roesselet served as our tour guide.

If you haven't been in Courthouse 1 for a while, here's a recent view of the scaffolding that sits on the second floor of the rotunda. 

After making sure our liability waivers were in order (and life insurance premiums were paid), we climbed the first ladder. Our first stop was the mural above the door to the Circuit Court courtroom. Here we have the painting by Conrad Arthur Thomas (more about him in a future post) titled "LaSalle at the Treaty of Miami, May 1681." 

As you can see, work has barely begun on this painting. Bryon explained that the restorers are not using any chemicals to remove the layers sitting on top of the original paint. Believe it or not, the layers can be removed by just scraping them off with your fingernail. The original paint is robust enough to not be disturbed. 

In this close-up you can see the brush strokes. 

While it's amazing to see a small preview of what a brighter, original painting will look like when the project is done, there's much more to be seen. Anyone who has been inside Courthouse 1 will recall that the color scheme on the second floor is off-white and off-white. We got a hint of what lies under the boring paint. 

While I could go on for much longer, court duties call. There's much more to come, including a good use of masking tape, surprise lightbulbs, and being able to almost touch the sky(light). Stay tuned!

Bill Wilson

Work starts soon in Courthouse 1 to repair the historic murals.  Thanks to the efforts of Jen Barhydt,  Bree Roberts,  and Chief Judge Hurley we have secured funding to restore these murals and the rotunda itself to its original splendor.

The St. Joseph Superior Court is pleased to announce the appointment of Amanda Wishin to the bench, filling the vacancy created by Magistrate Eric Tamashasky’s transition to private practice at the end of the year.

Born and raised in St. Joseph County, Ms. Wishin is a graduate of Marian High School and St. Mary’s College. She earned her J.D. and Master of Liberal Studies in English from Valparaiso University, where she was a member of the Law Honors Program and served as Associate Editor of the Valparaiso Law Review. During law school, Ms. Wishin clerked for United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr., St. Joseph Superior Court Judge Michael Scopelitis, and the South Bend City Attorney’s Office.

After graduation, she practiced as an associate at Hunt Suedhoff Kalamaros for two years before relocating to Indianapolis, where she has served with distinction at the Indiana Office of Court Services (IOCS) for the past 15 years. During her time with IOCS, Ms. Wishin has been at the forefront of numerous court innovation projects, including the establishment of commercial courts, the successful implementation of cameras in the courtrooms, and the civil case management pathways pilot program.

She has served as the staff attorney to the Indiana Judicial Conference Board of Directors, as well as to numerous Judicial Conference committees, including Commercial Courts, Civil Benchbook, Innovation, Civil Litigation Taskforce, and Court Security. In addition, she has served as the civil law resource attorney for the statewide judiciary, providing research and drafting support on complex litigation matters and the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure.

Ms. Wishin will begin her service as Magistrate of the St. Joseph Superior Court in January. Details regarding her investiture and robing ceremony will be shared in the new year.