Bergstrom Airport Art Exhibit

Newsletter Excerpts

April-May 2003 Issue of
The Third Dimension, newsletter of

Contents on this page include:

Austin Bergstrom International Airport Show
GODS OF ALFRESCO
Sculptfest 2003 Date Set
Member News
Selected Opportunities for Members

TSOS Members Show at Austin Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA)

by Marla Ripperda

The TSOS Austin Bergstrom International Airport show was installed April 2, 2003 by Rey Alaniz, Marla Ripperda and ABIA Arts Coordinator Matt Coldwell. Fourteen TSOS members are exhibiting 24 pieces of art in the 10 glass pylons at the airport until June 30, 2003.

Member Alan Herbert volunteered his time and expertise photographing large outdoor pieces of sculpture for the 8 posters accompanying the display.

The exhibiting artists are invited to tour the exhibit with Mayor Gus Garcia on Wednesday April 16, 2003. New member Heather McMahan's piece, "Austin, Impressions of Paradise," features a portrait of Mayor Garcia as the sun smiling down on various fun activities in Austin. Dan Hawkins' "Phoenix IV" is featured in one of the monumental posters, as well as a smaller bronze maquette.

The show overlaps with the Austin Sculpture Center's educational display in the airport's "Airside Gallery." It is a 30-foot window expanse filled with artwork and information about the sculptural process. The ASC's exhibit will be featured at the airport until June 2, 2003. Many of the TSOS exhibitors are also instructors or students at the school.

The artwork will be viewed by thousands of ticketed passengers at the airport. Please let your travelling friends know about the TSOS art display while flying to and from Austin!

GODS OF ALFRESCO

Gilbert Barrera's outdoor sculpture extravaganza, open to the public for a $10 admission fee each weekend in May, will feature about 100 artists in a pastoral setting on the grounds of "Villa del Carmen" at 11354 Vance Jackson Road in San Antonio. The event is to be mentioned in Texas Monthly's May events calendar, and Gilbert and other participants continue to build publicity for the event. For more information visit www.sculptorsdominion.com.

Sculptfest 2003 Set for September 14

Given the choice by the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum of September 14, which is Museum Day and already a free-admission day for the museum, and a November date on which they graciously offered to allow free admission, the TSOS board voted at its March meeting to have Sculptfest 03 in September.

The one-day sculptural extravaganza will take place on the lovely grounds of the Umlauf from 10 to 5 on that Sunday. Entry form is on page ???; enter by the end of May and the fee is only $25: between then and July 31 it is $50.

After last year's Fest, Theresa Bayer agreed to co-chair Sculptfest 2003 with Marla Ripperda and chair the event in 2004. After 6 years of involvement (1998 through 2003) as volunteer coordinator, artist liaison, co-chair and chair, Marla is looking forward to being "just an exhibitor at Sculptfest 2004!" Theresa, who was in charge of PR for Sculptfest 02 would like someone else to take over that role this year. She describes the job description: "E-mail press releases to various media. You can use the press releases I wrote for 2002 or write your own. I've got a list of places to send to. Some will allow a long press release; others require a "shorty" version; I've got both. E-mail me if you're interested: claylark@earthlink.net."

As part of the PR effort, newly elected TSOS president Gilbert Barrera had professional videographer Joe Wallace videotape Sculptfest 02. Having previously viewed the video, the TSOS Board voted in February to reimburse Wallace $300 for all rights to the video, and to offer copies for $15 to the membership. All costs to produce copies and all proceeds from the sales are to go to TSOS.

The board also voted in February to send the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum a $500 donation for their good efforts toward Sculptfest 2002.

Member News

Member news is sent in by you the members (contact editor for submission guidelines).

Maria Retzlaff has volunteered to be the new Secretary of the TSOS Board of Directors.

Welcome to New Members: Betsy Dudley, Blanco; Joseph Kasson of Kasson Castings in Austin; Pat Johnson, Fayetteville; L. Heather McMahan, Bee Cave; Mary Hodge, Stacy Deslatte, Dallas. Rejoining: Mark Harris and Nick Bakker, Austin.
Renewing: Joe Kenney, Gilbert Beall, Jessica Wolper, Austin; Daniel Saldana, Carrollton.
We are at 151 persons total membership!

Invitation to Rockport Opening

Mary Paige Huey will be the featured sculptor in an exhibition of three artists at the Rockport Center for the Arts in Rockport, Texas April 7-May 4. An April 12 reception will honor the artists from 5-7pm and this is an invitation for you to attend. This exhibit coincides with Rockport's annual home and boat show which could make for an entertaining weekend.

Rockport is recognized as one of the 100 best small art towns in the nation and the Art Center is the hub of cultural activity in the Coastal Bend's growing art community. Since TSOS will be having a juried exhibition there in August (See Call to Entry p. 5), this excursion would give you a preview of the gallery and sculpture garden. Situated between the city's marina and the bay, the Center is in an historical Victorian home. Their website is www.rockportartcenter.org

Huey's work may be viewed at her web site www.mpaige.com.

San Marcos Honors the "First Son of Texas"

The first bronze sculpture of General Edward Burleson was dedicated at the City Hall of San Marcos, TX, February 27th at 3 p.m. This work titled "Texas Oak" is the first bronze effort of artist Lorin Friesen. The bronze was cast at the Heart foundry in Bastrop, General Burleson's original home in Texas. The wax cast and finishing was performed at the Michael Hall foundry in Driftwood.

Edward Burleson was selected by the Texas Volunteer Army to replace Steven F. Austin as their new General at the Siege of Bexar who then successfully captured the Alamo from Mexico. We are told to "Remember the Alamo" but have long overlooked many other heroes from the beginning of the great Texas story. Burleson became Vice President of the Republic and would most likely have become President if not for Sam Houston, as they were usually at odds. Four portraits were painted of Edward Burleson from 1851 through 1905, two of which hang at the Texas Capital and the Alamo.

This work can be found on the TSOS page http://www.tsos.org/lorin.htm

As can Friesen's "Air of Competence," an 11-inch high three-dimensional portrait created to honor the current President's outstanding leadership in threatening times. President George W. Bush remains balanced on one foot atop the globe while emptying an impeding pebble from his boot, watching intently as it tumbles into his hat. Air of Competence is only available from the artist at this time with a limited edition of 1000 signed and numbered copies to be made. Each bronze is supported by a hardwood pedestal of Texas Mesquite, delivered with a monogrammed dusting cover and designated certificate including the story behind this special work. Cost is $1000 each. Delivery will be free anywhere for orders post-marked by April 15th. For details contact Lorin Friesen, 301 N. Edward Gary, P M B 275, San Marcos, Texas 78666 (USA), Tel. 512-353-0847

Selected Opportunities from TSOS Members:

TSOS is creating a Resource Guide/Supplies Directory that will include information such as stone quarries, foundries, clay suppliers, art photographers, wood suppliers, etc. In order to produce a useful guide, we need to hear from our members about what suppliers and resources you use and recommend. Please send your information to Maria Retzlaff either by e-mail: marialynn@earthlink.net or in the mail to: 400 Genard Street, Austin, TX 78751. Thank you.
-Maria Retzlaff

APPRENTICE WANTED

Since I'm becoming increasingly overwhelmed by my insurmountable opportunities with several large bronze and stone projects..I'm looking for warm bodies who can part time, flex time, any time (except weekends) apprentice (have hammer...will train), make molds, weld, chase bronze, chase wax for the next 90 days here at Thomas Studio in Jonestown...decent wages but not great...Please call 267-0051 or e-mail your possibles... -Jim Thomas, jimthomas@jimthomasstudio.com

WANT TO TRADE?

Historical 1-story home on 4 lots, 100 x 100, 3 bedroom, 1 bath, heart-of-pine floors, hand-carpentered kitchen, cedar fence, fruit trees, 2-car garage, servants' quarters separate. 12 blocks from seashore. Good family neighborhood. Will trade for small one-story house near or in Austin. Must have garage with concrete floor.; Ruthie Defalco, 4715 Avenue O 1/2 Galveston, TX 77551. 409-744-4658

Back to Art News Page

Texas Society of Sculptors
P. O. Box 49291
Austin, Texas (USA) 78765-9291
www.tsos.org