New Sculptures Debut in September for Art on City Plaza 2013

Jayne Kirkpatrick, Director, Public Affairs

Prepared by: John Boyette Jr., Senior Public Affairs Specialist

 

For more information: Kim Curry-Evans, Public Art Coordinator, Arts Commission,

919-996-3610

 

Aug. 20, 2013

 

New Sculptures Debut in September for Art on City Plaza 2013

Public Art Project

 

Three monumental artworks by Illinois artist Patrick McDonald will debut on Thursday, Sept. 5 at City Plaza in the 500 block of Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh. The artworks are part of the Art on City Plaza 2013 public art project.

 

The three new artworks, to be installed on three centerpiece pedestals, will replace sculptures by Robert Coon, Adam Walls and Deborah Marucci that have been on display since 2011. The installation will coincide with the following weekend’s SPARKcon arts festival.

 

Mr. McDonald’s sculptures were curated by artist Jim Gallucci, whose “Light Towers” are a familiar sight on the Plaza. Mr. Gallucci’s recommendation to select Mr. McDonald’s artwork for the City Plaza exhibition was approved by a panel comprising members of the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Artspace and Visual Art Exchange. These organizations jointly sponsor the City Plaza exhibition.

 

“I am very excited to be back in Raleigh,” Mr. McDonald said. “It’s my first one-person show of my large-scale works. I can’t wait to install them!”

 

Mr. McDonald was born in Watertown, Minn., and is a graduate of St. Cloud State University and Northern Illinois University. His current medium is concrete and steel, allowing him to explore an interest in mass and elegance. His large-scale pieces range in weight from one ton to 35 tons and celebrate the materials’ natural coloring or are painted a vivid red.

 

The site of numerous events, concerts and festivals including Hopscotch and SPARKcon, City Plaza is the “public living room” of Raleigh and a center of civic pride and celebration.

 

Established in 1977 as the official advisory body and advocate for the arts to the Raleigh City Council, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission holds the distinction of being the first municipal arts commission created in North Carolina. Serving as the leading force to champion the arts with Raleigh citizens and their representatives, the Arts Commission’s myriad activities foster, support and promote the arts in the Capital City.

 

For more information on Art on City Plaza, email kim.curry-evans@raleighnc.gov or contact the City of Raleigh Arts Commission at 919-996-3610. Information also is available on the City’s website at www.raleighnc.gov/arts.

 

{NOTE: Attached is an image of the Patrick McDonald sculpture, “Conundrum,” one of three sculptures selected for Art on City Plaza 2013.}