Wasyl Palijczuk, professor of Art emeritus, spent 10 days carving a limestone pillar in Estonia for its Limestone Days Carving Festival this summer, he explained Oct. 26 as part of the Carroll Arts Council’s “Lunch and Learn” series. Palijczuk was selected to represent Westminster in its sister city, Paide, Estonia.

“I’m supposed to represent Westminster. I’m supposed to represent America. What do you carve that represents that?” he said. “I started out with the idea of life, and life to me is women and oceans.”

As Palijczuk carved into the stone, a thick white dust cloud covered him. Forms emerged: a mermaid, the face of a woman represented by a heart, a face of an owl, an Indian and a hand with three fingers spread in a W for Westminster, and for Wasyl.

“That is what I like about art,” says Palijczuk. “You discover things. You put things in that not everybody understands, but that’s what makes it so incredible.”

In the town of Paide, 83 limestone chunks have been carved through the years. Palijczuk’s was set in a place of honor – beside a fountain in a park.

“I’m flattered with where they put it,” he says with a proud smile.

Westminster’s partnership with Paide began in 2002, spurred on by similarities in size and landscape between the two cities. In the four years since, Westminster and Paide have worked together to promote cultural activities, educational exchanges, and cooperation in government, business and philanthropy benefiting both cities.