Friday, June 20, 2008
Artpark Announces Sculpture Competition Winner!
Buffalo Artist Lawrence Kinney Takes Top Prize
Eight Finalists Works on Public Display thru September 15
(Lewiston, NY) Artpark President George Osborne and contest juror Robert L. Wood selected Lawrence Kinney's Spalted Device as the $2,500 grand prize recipient of the venue's first annual outdoor sculpture competition titled Edges 08 at an onstage presentation earlier this month. Kinney's winning entry is currently stationed adjacent to Artparks Mainstage Theater in the lower park.
The works of all eight finalists "Spalted Device" by Kinney; "Sanctuary" by Jesse Walp; "Days of Venus" by William Cavanaugh; "All in One by Brett Coppins; "Shelter From Outside Influences" by Amos Scully and Stephanie Ashenfelder; "In the Realm of the Spirit" by Kenneth Payne; "Splitting Hair" by Rolf Hoeg; and "Submission" by Adam Nowicki will be on display at various park sites through September 15. Each is delineated with signage and viewable at no cost to all park visitors.
This is another exciting example of Artpark's continued emphasis on blending all forms of the arts with nature, said Artpark President George Osborne. "It is our full intention that this will become a yearly competition featuring some of the finest artists in North America, and it will serve as a great compliment to Artpark's current visual arts programming."
LAWRENCE KINNEY
Lawrence Kinney's career in sculpture extends over 20 years and encompasses the completion of professional degrees through Munson Williams Proctor Institute (Utica, NY), and the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has participated in exhibitions in Buffalo, NY, Erie, PA, and New York City and has captured several awards for his sculpture.
Kinney was awarded a fellowship to study the art and architecture of Spain as an undergraduate. Since completing his studies, Kinney has been a regular guest lecturer at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he instructs undergraduate courses in sculpture and three-dimensional design.
As co-owner and curator of the Low Profile Gallery of Fine Arts in Utica, Kinney has produced hundreds of commercial architectural sculptures for businesses throughout the United States. He is also the sole proprietor of Sculptures and Form, and has developed a fine selection of original artist's lamps.
EDGES 08 OUTDOOR SCULPTURE COMPETITION
Artpark placed a national call for entries for Edges 08, in January. Eight of the 33 resulting submissions were selected for a summer-long exhibition (May 29-September 15) on the grounds of Artpark. Artists are permitted to sell their work(s) during the project period, but the sculpture(s) must remain on site for the duration of the exhibition.
Serving as juror of the competition was Robert L. Wood, Professor of Design and Head of the Ceramics Program at Buffalo State College. Wood has participated in over 175 juried and invitational art exhibitions at the national and regional level, and his work has garnered 12 national awards. Works selected by Wood were also approved by a selection committee comprised of Artpark's visual arts staff and park manager. Once works were installed on-site in late May, the juror selected the grand prize winner.
ARTPARK
Since 1997, Artpark & Company, a not-for-profit organization, has operated The Earl W. Brydges Artpark under a license agreement with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Over the past decade, Artpark's attendance has virtually tripled thanks to a well-rounded schedule of summer programs including musical and dance productions, big band shows, jazz performances, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Tuesday and Wednesday night free concerts, working visual artists, and an abundance of children's camps and other interactive art activities. The park also features several sites of historical significance, such as the Hopewellian Indian Burial Mound, remnants of the Oak Hill Mansion and the original location of Joncaire's trading post.
For a full schedule of 2008 events, call the Artpark Box Office at (716) 754-4375 or visit artpark.net.
The Earl W. Brydges Artpark is being operated by Artpark & Company, Inc. for the New York State Office of Parks,
Recreation and Historic Preservation under a license agreement.
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