VPA, Stone Quarry Hill Art Park host “What Makes Public Art?” discussion at The Warehouse March 9
The College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) at Syracuse University and Stone Quarry Hill Art Park will co-host “What Makes Public Art?,” the second installment of its Talk Serious discussion series March 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the main auditorium at The Warehouse, 350 W. Fayette St. The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in areas adjacent to The Warehouse.
“What Makes Public Art?” will focus on public art, space and community. A panel will engage the audience on a variety of issues, including the challenges and benefits of public art, what constitutes a successful public art project, the importance of public art to individuals and communities and the arts as an engine for economic development and urban renewal. The panelists are not public art experts, but rather local professionals who are engaged in promoting public art as an essential component of a great city.
“A background in the arts is not required for participation in our discussion,” says Daniela Mosko-Wozniak, executive director of community art programs for VPA. “We encourage lively interaction between the audience and the panelists, so we hope to attract people who enjoy talking about public art and how it can enhance our community.”
Mosko-Wozniak will moderate the panel with Natalia Mount, executive director of Stone Quarry Hill Art Park. Panelists scheduled to participate include:
Lori A. Brown, architect, artist and faculty member in the SU School of Architecture. Her work employs collage, mapping and speculative design through which she explores issues of domestic and public spaces and
their construction through gender. Many of her projects are community-based collaborations that bring design to those who otherwise may not have access to it. She is a member of CoAct, a collaborative artists’ group that creates projects that encourage dialogue.
Brian E. Moore, Program Director for Foundation Initiatives at the Gifford Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people living in Central New York. Leading proactive charitable efforts at Gifford, he is currently focusing on a major neighborhood revitalization initiative currently being conducted by the foundation. Previously, Brian was a program officer at the Central New York Community Foundation.
Joanna Spitzner, artist and faculty member in VPA’s School of Art and Design. Her work often takes the form of real-life performances and alternative organizations. She is currently working on The Joanna Spitzner Foundation, in which funding for artists is raised through working wage jobs, and is also a member of CoAct.
Ben Walsh, economic development coordinator for the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York (MDA), the region’s business leadership and planning organization. He focuses his efforts on the attraction and retention of youth in the community, increasing university-industry collaboration, and the revitalization of the region’s urban cores.
Talk Serious is an ongoing arts discussion series sponsored by VPA and Stone Quarry Hill Art Park in Cazenovia. The first installment was held in November 2006 and addressed the topic “What is Art?”
For more information, contact Mosko-Wozniak at (315) 443-0296 or dmoskowo@syr.edu.
