Posted:
March 20, 2011
Public Art Dialogue (PAD) recently launched a new initiative in New York, in conjunction with the College Art Association annual meeting. On February 11 and 12th, PAD hosted a series of Public Art Portfolio Reviews where graduate students, emerging artists, and established artists were offered feedback from experienced public art consultants, administrators, artists, and curators. Artists shared their work one-on-one with their reviewers and learned about the public art commissioning and award processes. The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive, as noted below.
"I have only recently begun to make public work and knew very little about opportunities for artists in the field. I arrived at the 2011 CAA conference feeling uncertain about how to move forward as a public artist. The portfolio review and all of the PAD sponsored events at the 2011 CAA conference could not have been more inspiring; they also provided me with exactly the sort of substantive direction I was looking for. I left with a three-page to-do list and the enthusiasm to carry it out!"
Cat Balco, New Haven, CT, www.catbalco.com
"The portfolio review was an excellent opportunity to receive beneficial feedback in a friendly and comfortable environment. In the competitive world of public art, it was a pleasant change of pace to discuss my work with an experienced professional in a low pressure situation."
Will Schlough, Pittsburgh, PA, willschlough.com
"The Portfolio Review provided by PAD was a real gift. My session was helpful, informative and productive, offering both strategic counsel and helpful hints for future projects and professional development. Bravo to all at PAD for providing such necessary tools within an encouraging conversation."
Barbara Bernstein, Amherst, VA
"The portfolio review was of great benefit in providing me with an external perspective and insight into the transferable potential of my localized, rural public art practice in Ireland to a cosmopolitan context. The dynamics governing the local and global polarities are an ongoing concern of my work and the feedback was relevant and specific and clarified my ideas for my next public art project proposal."
Deirdre O'Mahony, County Clare, Ireland, www.deirdre-omahony.ie
The Portfolio Reviews are a benefit of PAD membership. Consider participating in next year's sessions tentatively scheduled for February 22-25, 2012 in Los Angeles. Questions? Contact Membership Coordinator, Juilee Decker, [email protected]