On line auction (completed)
Sept. 5 through Sept. 15
The Children’s Statues Project
Summer 2009
“It’s All About the Children!” is the theme of Pride Manchester House’s anniversary. To celebrate 20 years of excellence, 8 fiberglass statues of children were given to area artists who volunteered to transform them into unique, whimsical expressions of childhood hopes and dreams.
The on line auction will occur from Sept. 5 through Sept. 15, using
eBay (
www.ebay.com). All proceeds will be used to enhance children’s services at Pride Manchester House and BAGA. The statues may also be viewed at BAGA’s website,
www.bismarck-art.org.
A self described flower aficionado,
Anne West was the first artist to volunteer
to create
a statue. Anne has painted since 1972, taught in local schools and at THEO Art School, and has volunteered to provide art therapy to residents at Pride Manchester House for over 10 years. She is well known for the community involvement and enjoys working with watercolor, ink, acrylic, pastels, oil and gauche.
For Manchester’s anniversary, Anne created
“Daisy Rose Wildflower”, a statue of a young girl with daisies in her hair, covered in native wild flowers and joyfully embracing her freedom. Anne’s inspiration? "What is freer and more fun than being out in a field of wildflowers? Like these wildflowers, God has planted each one of us on earth to grow and blossom."
Specifications
| Weight |
Height |
Width |
Depth |
Notes |
| 15 # |
63" |
33" |
24" |
Removeable Base |
For years,
Sue B. Balcom visited area schools to introduce students to her art.
Many wrote thank you letters, which Sue saved and reread. After years of traveling nationally and winning awards for original
designed jackets, Sue has settled in Mandan and works locally, marketing local foods as well as knitting, crocheting and designing patterns.
“Sunday’s Child” was cause to bring out all those love letters from students over the years. A childhood poem prompted Sue to adorn her statue with those thank you notes and drawings from the many children who welcomed her into their classrooms. From her curly moppet hair to the tips of her sandaled feet, “Sunday’s Child” exemplifies gratitude and appreciation from a child’s perspective.
Specifications
| Weight |
Height |
Width |
Depth |
Notes |
| 15 # |
54" |
25" |
16" |
Removeable Base |
A May 2009 graduate from UTTC’s art and art marketing program,
Tina R. Curley was asked to decorate a statue representing the Native American youth who participate in Manchester’s treatment program. Tina created a traditional Northern Plains dancer, using epoxy, paint, wire and assorted other materials. While watercolor is her favorite medium, and she is also experienced with sculpting, paint, tribal arts and photography. During the UTTC Art Show in April, Tina’s statue was featured in the Bismarck Tribune. She also designed "The Keeper" sculpture.
"
Dancing for the Future" features a child with a dance stick, shield, headdress and bustle, since dancing is an important part of Native American culture. "As a dancer, one learns discipline, responsibility and respect. Dancing preserves our culture and traditions. It is our past, present and future." "Dancing for the Future" dazzles in the sunshine with its patina finished copper tones.
Specifications
| Weight |
Height |
Width |
Depth |
Notes |
| 33 # |
63" |
32" |
25" |
Removeable Base |
As an Artist in Residence through the Dakota West Arts Council,
Brenda Molinaro was already
familiar with Pride Manchester House. She didn’t hesitate to perform an encore, after a delightful week-long residency creating puppets, birds, and other imaginative creatures with the children at Manchester. Brenda serves on the Council on the Arts and has received recognition for her work at the state capitol. Since she lives with 5 other creative family members, there was more than enough enthusiasm to create a child’s statue together.
With her daughters (18 year old Amanda, 16 year old Nicole and 14 year old Danielle), Brenda created a winged cherub, "
Believe I Can Fly". Bias relief ceramic was used to depict birds in flight, clouds and script. The message? "To rise above challenge requires faith and strength. When we envision another’s potential and offer support, they are strengthened, enabled to rise and fly. It all begins with believing. Believing in someone gives them the wings to soar!"
Specifications
| Weight |
Height |
Width |
Depth |
Notes |
| 37 # |
50" |
43" |
22" |
Base is NOT removeable |
As a board member at BAGA and member of DWAC
, Sue Cahill states she never sits still and has to be doing something with her hands. After working as a paralegal with Pearce and Durick Law Firm, Sue is constantly looking for new and innovative projects, taking art classes whenever she can through BAGA or BSC or online. Hobbies include photography, handmade cards and
invitations, watercolor painting, mixed media collages, gardening, walking and decorating. When invited to join the volunteer artists with Manchester’s anniversary, Sue eagerly agreed. When the fiberglass statue was delivered to her office, Sue opened the box before the delivery person left!
"
I Remember When…." is a photographic compilation of happy childhood memories, including school buses, Halloween, Christmas, birthdays, playing outside, etc. Sue’s inspiration: "Many of us had happy childhoods and carry those memories throughout our lives. Not everyone can joyfully say, "I remember when…." while reminiscing about their childhoods. The progress of photos illustrates the growth and lifelong change children experience through involvement at Pride Manchester House.
Specifications
| Weight |
Height |
Width |
Depth |
Notes |
| 15 # |
56" |
33" |
24" |
Removeable Base |
Paul Noot teaches visual arts at Bismarck High School. He is actively involved in BAGA, THEO Art School and Sleepy
Hollow. Paul painted a pony for Easter Seals several years ago, as well as a small bus for the American Cancer Society. His artwork is found in businesses and private collections throughout the region, and some works are on display at Latitudes Gallery in Bismarck. Paul has long been an advocate for youth to explore and develop their creativity through a variety of means. His preferred media are acrylic paints and earthenware sculpture.
"
Pisces" resulted from the many floods in North Dakota this spring. Pisces is a water sign, so this piece focuses on the elements: earth, water, fire and air. Pisces is standing on the empty bucket to symbolize the tears and sorrows that have been washed away. The bucket has inspirational phrases painted on it. The butterflies are symbolic of new life. The window to the soul has four charms: the state of North Dakota, a prayer box, Pisces and an angel charm. Painted stitches are on the borders of each element. Earth is on the bottom, water is next, fire is the chest area and air is from the neck up. One of the arms is also stitched like a quilt and the element symbols are also on various patches. On the palm of the hand is a painted stitched heart, symbolizing caring and charity.
Specifications
| Weight |
Height |
Width |
Depth |
Notes |
| 19 # |
53" |
22" |
17" |
Removeable Bucket Base(12"x12") |
Lynae Hanson and
Ken Rogers created their statue together. The two artists saw many ideas and possibilities for one small child statue. Choosing one that best represented the work of Pride Manchester House was a delightful challenge.
Lyane studied under Walter Piehl at Minot State and worked at the Bismarck Tribune before
making a career change to become the marketing director for the North Dakota Safety Council. She enjoys painting, decorating home interiors and making hand-painted floor cloths.
Ken is currently opinion editor at the Bismarck Tribune. He has been a long time journalist in North Dakota. He describes himself as a "painter, potter, poet" and has tried all forms of artwork. When first approached with the idea of children’s statues as a celebration for Manchester’s 20th anniversary, Ken drolly commented, "Better than most." The supreme compliment. He immediately agreed to join the volunteer artists.
Lynae and Ken created "
Hope’s Hero" from acrylic, fabric, metal, vinyl and other materials. The message: "Hope’s Hero is a characterization of the spirit of the young people and staff at Pride Manchester House as they joyfully embrace hope." This superhero is ready for take off, goggles firmly in place, arms spread and cape flowing. Initial plans included a fan to make the cape flutter, but safety prevailed and creativity found an alternative way to depict flight.
Specifications
| Weight |
Height |
Width |
Depth |
Notes |
| 15 # |
55" |
34" |
20" |
Removeable Base and cape |
As social worker at Manchester by day and a novice artist at night,
Sue Chaussee has designed costumes
and lapel pins, as well as creating cow statues, including "Diamonds are for Heifer". With a mental vision of a mosaic statue, she naively wondered, "How difficult can mosaics be?" Those first mosaic attempts are now thankfully buried at the Bismarck landfill and her hands have healed from multiple cuts and scrapes.
Affectionately named David in memory of David Kromarek and children’s author David Shannon, "
Reach for the Stars" depicts the mission of Pride Manchester House. At Manchester, discouraged children learn the skills to grow in both happiness and confidence. David rises from darkness, growing into the light and reaching for the stars with joyful hope. Over 100 people assisted with David’s evolution – together, we create small miracles every day. The sum is always greater than the parts.
Specifications
| Weight |
Height |
Width |
Depth |
Notes |
| 25 # |
54" |
24" |
16" |
Removeable Base, Mobile and Stars |