Local Company Makes Plaque Given To Obama

HIGH POINT -- The first custom-made plaque of a politician cast by Concepts Plastics Inc. turned out to find a prominent resting place.

An artist from Virginia recently approached the 35-year-old High Point company about casting a decorative plaque with the image of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

"A lot of times people have ideas and bring them to us. It was like a wall hanging, or a plaque you could put in a plate holder," said Concepts Plastics Senior Vice President Mark Templeton.

The artist, Calvin Tyree of Lynchburg, Va., had done business with Concepts Plastics in the past. The company, which has more than 100 employees, produces custom resin castings. The applications range from furniture parts to drapery hardware.

The Obama request was unique for the company, Templeton said.

"We molded it and finished it for him," he said.

Last week, Tyree went to an Obama campaign event at a high school in Lynchburg.

"He took the plaques. Barack sees them, and says, "Hey, come here. Did you make this?' Calvin said, "Yeah, I made it for you,' " Templeton said.

Obama greeted Tyree and received a plaque from the artist. Tyree sent Templeton an e-mail with a picture of Obama accepting the plaque cast at the High Point facility.

Concepts Plastics has cast honorary plaques, but never of a politician, Templeton said.

The company isn't taking a position on the presidential race -- Templeton said Concepts Plastics would be just as honored to cast a plaque of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

This article appeared in Friday's edition of the High Point Enterprise.