Larger-than-life artwork unveiled on outdoor public art wall at Catholic Foundation Plaza

by PegNews wire

Local artist Ann Cushing Gantz was revealed as the winner of the 2nd Annual Catholic Foundation Plaza Artists Competition, and her work, "Trumpeting Angel," was unveiled and blessed during a dedication ceremony in the Dallas Arts District on Oct. 11.

The winning art will be displayed on a 28' by 9'8" wall for approximately one year at the Catholic Foundation Plaza, which is free and open to the public and located on the grounds of the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the Dallas Arts District.

"It's an angel who is making an announcement, trumpeting, trying to get your attention -- in a good way," Gantz said of her winning painting. "I want people who see it to feel uplifted, elated and full of hope. Angels bring that out in me and I hope others will feel that way too."

Earlier this year, the Catholic Foundation invited selected professional artists living in the North Texas area to submit proposal designs for consideration. A panel of highly respected members of the local arts community then chose the winning piece. Gantz will receive a $1,000 stipend, and four runners-up will receive $250 each.

"The work of Ann Cushing Gantz is exceptional, and its dramatic display on the art wall at The Catholic Foundation Plaza is a gift that we hope all of Dallas will enjoy," said Edwin M. Schaffler, president and chief executive officer of The Catholic Foundation. "On behalf of The Catholic Foundation, I would like to thank our panel for selecting this beautiful artwork, which will draw people into the public oasis the plaza was designed to be in the middle of downtown Dallas."

The Catholic Foundation Plaza, dedicated in October 2006, was a gift from The Catholic Foundation to the Dallas community to commemorate the Foundation's 50th anniversary. In addition to the art wall, the 3,900-square-foot public space features a distinctive overhead shading trellis attached to twin stone columns with lighting, stone benches, floral landscaping, a fountain and free wireless connection. The Plaza is available for private rental through the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The Selection Committee included one representative from The Catholic Foundation and one from the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Other members of the committee were drawn from the arts community. The committee was comprised of Cindy M. Gummer, owner of The Enchanted Galleries; Katherine C. Berg, president, Interprise; Katherine Wagner, former director of the Dallas Visual Arts Center and professor of art at Richland Community College; Patricia B. Meadows, senior curator of the Hall Collection; David C. Hickman, sculptor; Gary Skotnicki of Architexas, the architectural firm that designed the Plaza; Rev. Eduardo Gonzales, Rector of the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe; and Christy Frazer, formerly with the Committee for the Restoration of the Cathedral.

Chartered in 1955, The Catholic Foundation was founded by a group of dedicated Catholic laymen with a vision that extended far beyond the charitable needs of the moment. For over 50 years, this independent, nonprofit corporation has dedicated its resources to compassionate charitable giving through grants provided by benefactors through its many planned giving programs. The Foundation has been able to provide approximately $20 million through hundreds of grants to various religious, educational and charitable organizations within the Diocese of Dallas during its 50 plus years of existence. In addition, donor-advised funds maintained at the Foundation have accounted for many more grants amounting to millions of dollars over the years.

Source: The Catholic Foundation