Peoria,
Ariz. (March 4, 2008) – Two artists from Peoria’s sister city in
Northern Ireland will play an important role as the community hosts its second
annual Festival of the Arts March 14-15 at City Hall.
Husband-and-wife artists Owen Crawford and
Bronagh Wright will judge the associated Celebration of the Artists,
a juried art exhibit that showcases the talents
of Arizona artists. The exhibit will be on display in the City Hall Pine Room 8
a.m. to 5 p.m., from Monday, March 10, through Thursday, March 20. The artwork
also will be displayed during the festival.
Crawford and Wright have three children and live
in the town of Newtownards. They have visited Peoria separately in recent years
through the Sister City program. Crawford sculpts
wood and stone, while Wright works mostly with clay. They have judged art
competitions before, from school competitions to university shows and public
events.
During their two-week visit, the artists hope
to make contact with like minded artists from the area and visit artists to see
them working in their studios.
“I would like to visit the Heard Museum and am
keen to see the jewelry exhibition,” Wright said in an e-mail. In addition, “I
would like to meet artists using lost wax casting techniques in their work.”
Project to involve high school students.
Wright also will renew collaboration with
Sunrise Mountain High School (SMHS) visual arts teacher Robert Panzer. Last
year, their students worked together to produce a calendar featuring images of
Peoria and the Borough of Ards.
This year’s project, the Transatlantic Tower
for Change, will allow more than 60 high school students from Peoria and
Newtownards to explore social issues that affect students in both countries. The
students will create original photographic images to communicate messages of
education, information or inspiration regarding a chosen social issue.
A large, vertical tower of selected student
work will be built in Peoria and shipped to Northern Ireland, along with an
empty tower for the Irish students to complete. Both towers then will be
returned to Peoria for display. The Peoria Educational Enrichment Foundation (PEEF)
has provided a grant of $1,424 for the project.
“I will be visiting SMHS to meet with Rob to
show him Images of my pupils’ work and finalize dates,” Wright said.
Festival offers art and more.
The 2008 Peoria Festival of the Arts will run
from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 14, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday,
March 15. The event offers a dynamic
collection of fine art, including ceramics, painting, photography, wood, glass,
jewelry and fiber. There also will be live entertainment, such as jazz,
classical, blues, rock and world beat music, as well as roving performers
offering impromptu acts; children can participate in creative activities. In
addition, there will be wine tasting and a delicious variety of culinary treats.
The action will be in front of City Hall, 8401 W. Monroe St.
