Richard (Dick) Sax is being nominated for his artistic contributions to the cultural life of Mascoutah, particularly in how it has enhanced the experience of those visiting the Mascoutah Heritage Museum. Born in Belleville, Illinois in 1928, Dick attended Cathedral Grade School and High School. He attended Belleville Area College where he was a staff artist for the school's first yearbook. Sax joined the Air Force Reserve and was called to active duty in 1950. He continued to pursue his artistic passion, doing pencil sketches of military life. When Dick semi-retired decades later, he took a few watercolor and some woodcarving classes. Since that time, he has worked with many different art mediums and has created several pieces for the Mascoutah Heritage Museum. His pride and joy is an airbrushed life-sized wood carving of a blue heron that sits prominently in the museum of all to enjoy when they enter. He has also worked on paintings of large community murals around town. Sax's work has been on display in the Mascoutah Heritage Museum as part of their "Visual Images" exhibit that showcases work of local artists.