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Henderson Art Project Winners Announced


by Stephen Becker 3 Mar 2010 8:13 AM

Henderson Avenue in Dallas is once again a vibrant area after years of redevelopment. And later this month, a series of sculptures will line the street and add to the rejuvenation. KERA’s Stephen Becker reports on the contest that lead to those pieces of public art.
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Henderson Avenue in Dallas is once again a vibrant area after years of redevelopment. And later this month, a series of sculptures will line the street and add to the rejuvenation.  KERA’s Stephen Becker reports on the contest that lead to those pieces of public art:

  • KERA radio report:


  • Online version:

Dallas artist George Tobolowsky is a regular at the restaurants that line Henderson Avenue. And now, when he heads out to dinner, he’ll be able to see one of his sculptures on the way.

George Tobolowsky's Outside the Office

George Tobolowsky's Outside the Circle

Tobolowsky lives just blocks from the future home of his art work. And he says the area and his art have a lot in common.

TOBOLOWSKY: “I’m a found objects guy. … And to me, that’s kind of what Henderson is all about. This is a rejuvenated area of Dallas … So it kinda reminds me of my art work.”

Tobolowsky is one of seven winners of the Henderson Art Project. The other winners are Chris Lantazzio, Eric Ober, Laura Abrams, Michelle O’Michael, Andrea Reich Fender and Juanluis Gonzalez.  (Click here to see their winning pieces.) In addition, UTD and UTA professor Stephen Lapthisophon will also have a piece on display. The project, which attracted 117 entries, is a collaboration between businesses along Henderson Avenue and local artists.

Scott Trent organized the project:

TRENT: “Not only are we getting the art out to be seen, but we’re also influencing the culture of this area. So it really becomes this win, win, win scenario.”

The Henderson Avenue businesses and people who drive the stretch of road east of Central Expressway are the first two winners in Trent’s scenario. The third winners are the artists.

Each of the seven artists is awarded an $800 stipend. After they install their work, the public will vote online to award three additional prizes of up to $3,500.

The prize money came from local businesses, and Trent says he’s proud that the contest financially rewards its winners.

TRENT: “So many times, artists are asked to participate and they have to pay for it themselves. And so I wanted to make sure that if the artist was selected, we gave them a stipend. … And then if they win the prize money, then that is substantial money, and you don’t find that in a lot of contests.”

Voting begins when the pieces are installed on March 20. You can visit hendersonartproject.com to vote.

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About Stephen Becker

Stephen Becker produces the shows Think and Anything You Ever Wanted to Know for KERA. As part of the Art&Seek team, Stephen produces radio and digital stories, along with the podcast "The Big Screen," with Chris Vognar, movie critic of The Dallas Morning News. View more about Stephen Becker.

COMMENTS

  • Thank you KERA for your support of the Arts in Dallas!

  • After months of planning and preparation, then a week of waiting, it is a big relief to finally find out who the 7 winners are. The team of Beam Plank and Flitch send congratulations to all the winners, and a big thumbs up to all the artists who sent in proposals to the Henderson Art Project.

    We hope all the sculpture installation goes smoothly. We’ll be cruising Henderson to select our favorites.

    Best of luck,
    Brad

  • Kate

    Can’t wait to see the work installed!!