Artistic Expressions

Denver's Big Blue Horse -- Love it or hate it?

A little over a year ago, a very large, very blue rearing mustang, aptly called BLUE MUSTANG, was installed on the road approaching Denver International Airport.  During its construction, BLUE MUSTANG killed its creator, Luis Jimenez, when a large piece of the thirty-two-foot-tall sculpture fell on him, severing an artery in his leg.  At night, the massive steed's eyes glow red, and are visible from miles away.  This, combined with it's emaciated figure and it's killer reputation, has sparked a debate among the citizens of Denver about what they want out of the city's public art.  The debate was well summarized in a New York Times article published in March.

As a Denver native, I don't love that this is the first piece of art that most visitors will see in Denver, but I  also think the debate has gotten too inflammatory and negative.  So what's your opinion?  Do you love Jimenez's the low-brow, urban style or do you think it's too over the top for a municipal art program?

Vote in our poll here, and give your thoughts by clicking "comments" below this post.

Photos courtesy of Denver International Airport.

Denver Public Art Phonecasts

Denver's Public Art Program is offering Public Art Phonecasts of their most popular artworks. From any phone, dial 1-877-336-2787 (1-877-DEN-ARTS) to hear short interviews with the artists talking about their works. Look for more phonecast coming soon!

2009 Sculpture Only Competition Winners!

 

Sculptural Pursuit is pleased to announce the four feature article winners and 8 Industry Award winners in our 6th Annual Sculpture Only Competition:

Feature Article Winners:

The top three winners will be the subjects of feature articles in the Fall 2009 issue of Sculptural Pursuit.  The fourth place winner will be featured in Creative Wisdom, our online e-zine.

Grand Prize:  Jim Boles, Mixed Media, Savage, MN
2nd Place:  Marc Mayhew, Stone, Armonk, NY
3rd Place:  Gage Moquin Prentiss, Steel, Fitchburg, MA
4th Place:  Stalin Tafura, Stone, Fort Collins, CO (will be featured in Creative Wisdom)

Industry Award Winners:

The winners below won awards from SP's industry sponsors.

Sculpture Depot - Merrilee Cleveland, Loveland, CO
Atlas Metal Sales - Greg Eng, Vista, CA
The Carving Studio & Sculpture Center - Susan Falkman, Mequon, WI
The Compleat Sculptor - John Lopez, Eagle Butte, SD
Ball Consulting, Inc. - Jennifer McCurdy, Vineyard Haven, MA
Chavant, Inc. - Mardie Rees, Gig Harbor, WA
Moonscapes 3D - Roger Reutimann, Boulder, CO
Sculpture House - Art Wells, Anna, TX

Congratulations to all the winners!  Our sincerest thanks go out to all the talented and hard-working sculptors who entered.  This year's jurying process was one of the most difficult yet!

Government and the Arts

As a new administration takes charge in Washington, we all have hopes and expectations about what they'll do.  I assume we can all support an increased focus on the arts, and President Obama has laid out plans to do just that, including increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, increase funding for art education -- even creating an "Artist Corps". 

What's your opinion?  What role do you think the government should take in encouraging the arts?  Are Obama's plans wide-ranging enough?  Share your thoughts by clicking "Comment" below.

Denver to Host 39th Annual Women Artists of the West Show

The 39th Annual Women Artists of the West show will open February 6 at Saks Galleries in Denver.  The show features the work of WAOW's members and celebrates some of the finest female artists in the country.  Sculptor Jane DeDecker and painter Karen Vance will be honored with the Award of Excellence at the Friday evening reception.  On Saturday, February 7, artists Kathy Cooper, Cecy Turner, Teresa Vito, and Mary Ann Cherry will demonstrate their techniques.  Invited artists include Cammie Lundeen, Louisa McElwain and Jill Soukup, and the work of seventy-five members will be on display as well.

WAOW is a group whose specific objectives and purpose include uniting women artists; promoting appreciation of art created by women; encouraging technical excellence by educating artists and the public through exhibitions and workshops; encouraging professionalism by advising women artists regarding business practices; providing publicity and national awareness for members through advertising and web presence; and developing a spirit of unity among its members.

The organization was founded in 1971 by a small group of women who banded together to share marketing ideas and promote their work with shows.  Today the organization includes 200 professional artists from across the country working in a variety of styles and media.

Show Dates:  February 6-28, 2009

Hours:  Tuesday-Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-5

Happy New Year from Sculptural Pursuit!

 2008 was a great year for Sculptural Pursuit.  We continued to build relationships with our community, and we're looking forward to all the great people we'll encounter in 2009.  Like many businesses, the start of the new year finds us evaluating our successes during the past year and looking at ways to make our publications more valuable to you, our readers, in 2009.  But to do this, we need your input.  What would you like to see in Sculptural Pursuit, Creative Wisdom, and On The Lookout in 2009?  Share your thoughts with us by clicking "comment" below.

We hope 2009 brings you new ideas and successes in both your artistic and personal lives!

Indian Wells Arts Festival seeks artist submissions.

Deadline:  December 31, 2008
Exhibit Dates:  April 3-5, 2009
Location:  Indian Wells, California
Venue:  Indian Wells Tennis Garden
Fees:  $35 applicaton fee/ $300 space fee
Submit:  Application, fees, slides/photographs or digital submission for jurying, artist information statement, Technique Description, Bio 3 & prior shows, SASE
Eligibility:  Original fine art and quality craft, no buy-sell. Slides/images required for jury selection. Artist must be present. Download application and information from website.
Commission:  10%
Website:  www.indianwellsartsfestival.com
Contact: Indian Wells Arts Festival, PO Box 62 Palm Desert, CA 92261
Phone:  760-346.0042
Email: [email protected]

In Memory of Our Dear Friend, Gene Adcock

The prominent sculptor, interior designer and businessman passed away on Friday, November 21, 2008 in Grand Junction, Colorado, following heart surgery. A native of Detroit and a graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he formed the Los Angeles design firm Designers Adcock & Stock in 1955. There, he developed a client roster that ranged from ABC-TV, NBC-TV, and Paramount Studios to California Pizza Kitchen and a Who's Who of Californians private homes and offices. In the late 80s Gene met the love of his life, third wife Jeanie Renchard, a fellow sculptor. They divided their time between Rancho Paradiso in Carbondale, Colorado and Pietrasanta, Italy, a renowned marble region. In addition to prolific marble work, Gene and Jeanie cast countless magnificent pieces in bronze; their works are held by collectors around the world. Gene will also be remembered for his philanthropic work: the Adcock Scholarship Award to outstanding Kendall College seniors, his legendary dinner parties auctioned off by the Aspen Art Museum, and the ongoing work of the Adcock Foundation, which helps local and national arts organizations. Gene Adcock is survived by his daughters, a brother, and the woman who helped raise him, his beloved Aunt Jane aged 102. To celebrate his life donations can be made to The Adcock Foundation in care of Alpine Bank, Colorado.

It's hard to capture the man that Gino was in a few sentences, but suffice it to say, our lives were richer for having known and experienced his joyful essence and loving heart.  We will miss his physical presence, but his spirit remains with us in his work, in his generosity to so many, and in the stories we will continue to share.

Question of the Month - The Ups and Downs of Public Art

In the Winter issue of Sculptural Pursuit, we share the stories of artists and their public art projects.  Public art can be gratifying, but can also be a challenging way to build your career.  Artists pursuing public art must be willing and able to overcome obstacles from all sides.  Have you experienced success with public art?  If so, how did you do it?  Have you been part of public art project gone wrong?  Do you have any advice for artists wanting to get involved in public art?

Share your public art success/horror stories by clicking on "Comment" at the bottom of this post.

5th Annual Art/Literary Competition Winners!

Sculptural Pursuit is proud to announce the winners of our 5th Annual Art/Literary Competition:

Sculpture:
Grand Prize Winner - Candace Knapp, Florida

1st Place Winner - Nobe Babayan, California
2nd Place Winner - Maria Papalia, Pennsylvania
3rd Place Winner - Johan Hagaman, Tennessee

Painting:

1st Place Winner - P.D. Packard, New York
2nd Place Winner - Sara Shamma, Syria

Poetry:

1st Place - Aiko Morioka, California

Our sincerest thanks goes out to all who entered.  We enjoyed looking at the diverse range of work we received, and we thank you all for your participation!  Keep an eye out for profiles of the winners in the January 2009 issue of Sculptural Pursuit!