| James Surls Discusses the Art |
Major players in the Houston arts community came together Friday, February 1 at the home of Clayton and Shel Erikson to kick off private fundraising efforts for the coming Surls on Kirby public art project. The effort aims to install a 30'-tall original James Surls sculpture entitled, Tree and Three Flowers in the median on Kirby Drive just south of Westheimer Road.
Surls was on hand to discuss the monumental effort with attendees and encourage private contribution to the project. The target fundraising goal for the Surls on Kirby project includes $850,000 for the artwork and another $150,000 for a proposed documentary that will catalogue the process from inception to installation.
| From Left: Bob and Lane Schultz and Ford Hubbard |
The Upper Kirby District Foundation is spearheading this iconic project and has secured to date $450,000 in public sector investment from the Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority and Harris County Improvement District No. 3 as well as over $200,000 in private donations. The target installation date is December 15, 2013.
James Surls is an internationally known artist and one of the most preeminent sculptors in the United States. James was born in Terrell, TX in 1943. He graduated from Sam Houston State Teachers College in 1966 and from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1968. He taught at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX from 1968 to 1976. He taught at and founded the Lawndale Alternative Arts Space at the University of
| Fundraising Co-Chair, Dan Hedges Addresses the Crowd |
Houston in 1976.
His sculpture was highlighted in the Magnificent Seven: Houston Celebrates Surls exhibit at Rice University in October 2010. Before Houston, 5 of the 7 sculptures were on display on Park Avenue in NY. His sculpture, Points of View, is in Market Square in downtown Houston, and his Standing Vase with Five Flowers is at the City of Houston, Parks and Recreation Department.
The Upper Kirby District is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit. To make a charitable contribution or to find out more about the Surls on Kirby project or the Upper Kirby Civic Arts Initiative, call 713.524.8000 or email, [email protected].
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