October 24, 2011, Napa, CA -- Days after the successful launch of its popular annual Napa ARTwalk public art sculpture tour, Arts Council Napa Valley is proud to announce the reveal of another great public art project, "Sculptures for the Garden" to be on view at McPherson Elementary School.
Arts Council Napa Valley and Fosters Wine Estates America awarded a $7,000 grant to On the Move to complete the sculpture project in 2010, in an effort to expand public art programming into local schools. In addition, Napa County Office of Education also added $5000 towards the completion of this project that lasted from February 2011 to October 2011.
On the Move's High School Leadership Academy (LAYLA) and LIFE After School programs created the public art project at McPherson alongside fifty student artists. Sculptures for the Garden at McPherson features installations inspired by hearts, stars and sun/moon combinations; those shapes were chosen at a City Hall meeting as the public favorite, where a variety of options were presented. Sculpture materials used included paint, clay, metal, glass, and tile.
Mentoring professional artists included Josanna Borelli-Zavala, Forrester Holley, Miki Hsu Leavey, and Patti Wessman.
Sculptures for the Garden at McPherson aims to inspire the community through a collaborative and creative art process, involving young children and adults of diverse cultures throughout all steps of selection, production and installation. Expected future community impacts of the program include: Increased use of O'Brien Park through walking tours of Art in the Park, including the greater Napa community and tourists; enhanced surroundings for family gatherings, and increased opportunities for positive interactions between neighborhood residents and McPherson Elementary teachers and students.
"It has been exciting to see the progress of this sculptural project; from the first brainstorming sessions with design and purpose, to the vote by the community, to its manufacture and engineering, to the teamwork of artists and interns with students of LIFE last spring and now, to those dedicated artists and students this fall who have completed this imaginative artwork for public enjoyment" -Miki Hsu Leavey
The community is invited to celebrate alongside the student artists as the program holds its public launch on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, at McPherson School from 5-5:30pm. The McPherson Elementary Public Art Project is co-partnered by On the Move and the Arts Council Napa Valley (ACNV). The program is funded fully by Fosters Wine Estates America and the Napa County Office of Education (NCOE). To learn more about ACNV's educational art programming, visit: www.artscouncilnapavalley.org.
About Arts Council Napa Valley ACNV is a non-profit arts organization that supports and connects the local creative community in Napa County. Since it was founded in 1980, ACNV has grown into an important stakeholder and industry partner in Napa Valley. ACNV is proud to present two annual month-long arts programs: October Napa Valley ARTS month, celebrating the vibrant arts and cultural community throughout the Napa Valley, and Legendary Napa Valley Arts In April showcasing The Napa Valley Collection, exploring the magic that occurs when fine wine connects with arts and culture. For more information or to join ACNV and support your local arts community, please visit www.artscouncilnapavalley.org.
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Contact: Kristina Young
Executive Director
Arts Council Napa Valley
(707) 257-2117
