HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-11 SBMA’s 5th Annual Festival of Banners Decorates Downtown with Inspired surFACES SpUTHg'
1865 SBMID
South Bend Museum of Art
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, August 4,2011
10:30 AM
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Dir. of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
Candie Waterloo, Festival of Banner Coordinator, SBMA, 235-9102 x. 1091
Peg Luecke, Marketing Director, SBMA, 235-9102
Aaron Perri, Director, Downtown South Bend, Inc., 282-1110
SBMA's 51h Annual Festival of Banners Decorates Downtown
with Inspired surFACES
This summer, the streets of downtown South Bend will again showcase the Festival of Banners.
The South Bend Museum of Art (SBMA), in partnership with the City of South Bend and
Downtown South Bend, Inc. (DTSB), has coordinated this large-scale public art project for the
fifth year. The theme for this year is "beyond the surFACE," interpreted in original artworks by
local and world citizens of all ages. The 70 banners will be displayed on light poles along
Jefferson/Wayne Street and Michigan Street for two months, from August 8th until October 7th,
2011.
At 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 4, 2011,Mayor Steve Luecke joins SBMA Executive
Director Susan Visser,the Museum staff, board members, and DTSB Executive Director Aaron
Perri in announcing the 1st 2°a and 3rd place winners of the Youth, Teen, and Adult categories.
These announcements will be made at Crossroads Gallery, which is located at DTSB's
headquarters. In the adult category, awards will be given to Sherry Sprouls (1st),Jessie Miles
(2nd) and Megha Jain(3`d). Teen winners include Ryan Freund(1st), Oscar Joyo (2°d), and
Amber Kish(3`d). Lastly,rounding out the youth category are Morgan Ness (1st), Cameron
Kanczuzewski (2°d), and Kacey Wood(P). Additionally, the first banner of the exhibition will
be unveiled, which will be in place until the first week of October.
"Festival of Banners continues to be a success due to the tremendous outreach of support from
the community as witnessed by devoted parents and grandparents who drive our young artists to
painting appointments, as well as area school teachers who take time out of their busy curriculum
to squeeze in a lesson devoted to our festival," said Candie Waterloo,Festival of Banners
Coordinator and SBMA Education Coordinator, "And just like last year, the festival not only
touches South Bend, but embraces international waters as painters from as far as Thailand, India,
and South Korea have joined us. Everyone is just so excited to be involved."
-more -
-page 2 -
This spring, approximately 200 designs were submitted from a diverse pool of participants
offering their artistic rendition of"beyond the surFACE." "This year's theme was a bit
challenging as it asked participants to search inside of and beyond themselves to consider notions
of beauty, both internal and external," said Waterloo. Approximately 70 of these banner designs
were accepted, and during the first week of June participants began painting their unique designs
onto 24"x 51"pieces of canvas. Together SBMA and these artists from the local area and
around the world have produced 70 original works of public art, illustrating inventive and
personal stories which speak to the age old adage that it is what is on the inside of us that truly
counts.
"The Festival of Banners is a visible expression of the importance of the arts to our community,
said Mayor Steve Luecke. "The health of a community can be measured in how the arts are
valued, and this project encourages and emphasizes the role of creative activity among all our
residents while enhancing our downtown environment. I am very proud that the City and DTSB
are partnering with one of our top attractions, the SBMA, to celebrate the talents and creativity of
youth and adults in South Bend."
Aaron Perri,Executive Director,Downtown South Bend, Inc. added, "Downtown South Bend is
proud to prominently display the introspective artwork of so many local and international artists.
Perfectly complementing the already established arts and entertainment district,these banners
will provide a unique visual identity to the area, a catalyst for stimulating conversation, and a
source of community pride."
- end—