Artists Begin Installing Works at Bayfront Convention Center
Erie, PA, November 01, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Selected artists for display of permanent art works at the new Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Pa. will begin installation on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007.
“The Bayfront Convention Center is the single largest economic development project Erie’s history,” said Marlene Mosco, president of PNC and chairwoman of the Convention Center Authority. “Given the project’s vast importance to this region, we made every effort to showcase Northwestern PA’s talented and accomplished visual artists. Artists reflect the fiber of a community; they add character and heartbeat to our city. It is important to each of the Authority members that the art pieces selected were original, compelling works indicative of Erie’s rich talent. The works are varied, professional and visually complimentary to the architecture of the building.”
Selected were installations by artists John Bavaro--“Fish Story Altarpiece”, Ron Bayuzick--“Flotsam and Jetsam”, Karen Anne Bolton--“Mandala”, and Daniel Burke--“Arrivals”. Also selected were a large wall sculpture by Ken Wyten, and several wall works by Carl Sundberg.
Bavaro will work on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and finish installing on Monday, Nov. 5. Burke will work on Friday, Nov. 9 from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and will finish installing on Sunday, Nov. 11.
Remaining artists’ installations are still being scheduled, but will continue into December and January.
The request for proposals issued in June 2007 was distributed via email and postal mail to nearly 800 artists in northwest PA as well as traditional media outlets; a number of on-site tours were also conducted. A total of 64 artists submitted proposals.
“Proposals were considered for all types of artworks, including but not limited to paintings, photographs, sculptures, textiles, and electronic media,” said John Vanco, director of the Erie Art Museum; the Museum facilitated the process on behalf of the Erie County Convention Center Authority.
The artworks, which will be installed in the new Convention Center, were selected by a jury consisting of Richard Armstrong, director of the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Judith O’Toole, director of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, Pa., in consultation with Vanco. The selected works will be installed over a period of months, beginning in September and continuing through the first part of 2008.
“It was a privilege to be involved with the selection of artists and artwork to be installed in the new Bayfront Convention Center. The architectural design is so very well suited to the site and lends itself to different styles of visual art. Our task was complicated by the quality and diversity of work submitted. Our challenge was to make a selection that would be accommodated by the spaces of the building but be equal in stature to the building and its setting, not an after though or mere decoration. We looked for works that would sing in the environment that awaits them and it is my sincere hope that the visitors and people of Erie agree with our choices,” said O’Toole.
Art will be installed in the East Lobby, overlooking Presque Isle Bay and the slip leading to the West Canal Basin, and the North Lobby, overlooking the Bay toward Presque Isle.
The Convention Center Authority anticipates adding additional works in the future.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the selection of the work. It reflects the tremendous talent of Erie’s artists,” said Casey Wells, executive director of the Erie County Convention Center Authority. “Art will greet the visitor throughout the building and serve as inspiration for discussion and reflection.”
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“The Bayfront Convention Center is the single largest economic development project Erie’s history,” said Marlene Mosco, president of PNC and chairwoman of the Convention Center Authority. “Given the project’s vast importance to this region, we made every effort to showcase Northwestern PA’s talented and accomplished visual artists. Artists reflect the fiber of a community; they add character and heartbeat to our city. It is important to each of the Authority members that the art pieces selected were original, compelling works indicative of Erie’s rich talent. The works are varied, professional and visually complimentary to the architecture of the building.”
Selected were installations by artists John Bavaro--“Fish Story Altarpiece”, Ron Bayuzick--“Flotsam and Jetsam”, Karen Anne Bolton--“Mandala”, and Daniel Burke--“Arrivals”. Also selected were a large wall sculpture by Ken Wyten, and several wall works by Carl Sundberg.
Bavaro will work on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and finish installing on Monday, Nov. 5. Burke will work on Friday, Nov. 9 from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and will finish installing on Sunday, Nov. 11.
Remaining artists’ installations are still being scheduled, but will continue into December and January.
The request for proposals issued in June 2007 was distributed via email and postal mail to nearly 800 artists in northwest PA as well as traditional media outlets; a number of on-site tours were also conducted. A total of 64 artists submitted proposals.
“Proposals were considered for all types of artworks, including but not limited to paintings, photographs, sculptures, textiles, and electronic media,” said John Vanco, director of the Erie Art Museum; the Museum facilitated the process on behalf of the Erie County Convention Center Authority.
The artworks, which will be installed in the new Convention Center, were selected by a jury consisting of Richard Armstrong, director of the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Judith O’Toole, director of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, Pa., in consultation with Vanco. The selected works will be installed over a period of months, beginning in September and continuing through the first part of 2008.
“It was a privilege to be involved with the selection of artists and artwork to be installed in the new Bayfront Convention Center. The architectural design is so very well suited to the site and lends itself to different styles of visual art. Our task was complicated by the quality and diversity of work submitted. Our challenge was to make a selection that would be accommodated by the spaces of the building but be equal in stature to the building and its setting, not an after though or mere decoration. We looked for works that would sing in the environment that awaits them and it is my sincere hope that the visitors and people of Erie agree with our choices,” said O’Toole.
Art will be installed in the East Lobby, overlooking Presque Isle Bay and the slip leading to the West Canal Basin, and the North Lobby, overlooking the Bay toward Presque Isle.
The Convention Center Authority anticipates adding additional works in the future.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the selection of the work. It reflects the tremendous talent of Erie’s artists,” said Casey Wells, executive director of the Erie County Convention Center Authority. “Art will greet the visitor throughout the building and serve as inspiration for discussion and reflection.”
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Contact
Erie Art Museum
Tammy Roche
814-459-5477
www.erieartmusuem.org
Tammy Roche
814-459-5477
www.erieartmusuem.org
Contact
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