|
|
 |
New York Avenue Sculpture Project |
| |
View of the proposed project on New York Avenue
Niki de Saint Phalle, The Three Graces, 1999
|
Washington, D.C. — National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) announces plans to create a
New York Avenue Sculpture Project along one of downtown’s major boulevards. The new dynamic
space will enhance the city’s public art profile featuring changing installations of contemporary works
by world-renown women artists. Organized by NMWA, it is a collaboration between the museum, the
Downtown DC Business Improvement District (BID), the DC Office of Planning and other agencies.
“Bringing NMWA out into the street of our community has been a dream of the museum and our
founder Wilhelmina Cole Holladay for many years. We are grateful to our partners at the Downtown
DC BID, the Office of Planning, and others who have shared our vision and excitement for this project
that will enhance the reputation of women artists and beautify our city. We are confident that as the
first and only major sculpture boulevard in the nation’s capital, the New York Avenue Sculpture
Project will bring a new liveliness to our neighborhood and we look forward to seeing many new
visitors at the Women’s Museum,” says NMWA Director Susan Fisher Sterling.
Throughout the city, public sculpture is an integral part of the streetscape, defining neighborhoods and
connecting points of major streets. The New York Avenue Sculpture Project will improve the visual
environment of the downtown following in a tradition begun by Pierre L’Enfant in 1791. The project
will be anchored by the Herald Square building and Mount Vernon Square, two important locations in
the city’s original design by L’Enfant.
The New York Avenue Sculpture Project also supports several planning and community revitalization
initiatives already underway including: the CreativeDC Action Agenda; the Mount Vernon Square
District Plan, and the Center City Action Agenda; as well as the redevelopment of the Former
Convention Center site at 9th Street and New York Avenue. Additionally, the New York Avenue
culture gateway will be one of the newest destinations for the 100,000 visitors to the Walter
Washington Convention Center as well as some of DC’s 25 million annual visitors.
“This is an exciting new venture for the District and a wonderful testament to the contribution of
women in the arts,” says Mayor Adrian Fenty. “As a public-private partnership, this endeavor will
contribute to the revitalization of Mount Vernon Square while providing another avenue for great
artists from our nation’s capital and around the world to display their creativity and talent.”
Joined by partners, supporters, officials and neighbors, NMWA expects to dedicate the first phase of
the New York Avenue Sculpture Project in April 2010—which will showcase the refurbishment of the
1200 NW block in front of the museum. Chairs for the Sculpture Project and dedication celebration are
NMWA First Vice President Marlene Malek and NMWA Board Member Marcia Carlucci. The
museum also plans to announce educational and community events as part of the opening dedication.
Construction on the first phase begins this winter and includes the removal of old plant materials,
construction of sculpture pads, lighting, and new landscaping. Installation of the sculpture will begin in
spring 2010.
The artist whose work was selected to inaugurate this new public art exhibition program is the self-
taught French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle. Her nine to 15-foot high whimsical, visually playful and
colorful works celebrate women, children, heroes, cultural diversity and love. The works represent
major themes within Saint Phalle’s career, including the Nanas, Black Heroes, Animals and Totem.
The works were selected in consultation with the Niki Charitable Art Trust and federal and local
agencies.
Mrs. Holladay adds, “Washington has been a wonderful place for our growing institution. We feel it is
a privilege to be in the nation’s capital and it is exciting to be able to enhance its presence with the
handsome sculpture garden which we hope will bring pleasure to many.”
When the New York Avenue Sculpture Project is completed, no later than 2015, it will have
transformed the four major medians of New York Avenue, N.W. from 13th Street to Mount Vernon
Square into sculpture islands. Art works will be shown on each of the islands along the boulevard in
temporary installations lasting for periods of one to three years.
The project is currently funded through support from NMWA National Advisory Board member
Medda Gudelsky, the Downtown DC BID, an anonymous donor, the Philip L. Graham Fund, the
Homer and Martha Gudelsky Family Foundation, NMWA members and others. The District
Department of Transportation (DDOT) is also funding the project through its Transportation
Enhancement Program. The Enhancement Program provides grant funding for non-traditional projects
that are linked to the District’s transportation system.
For details about the April 28 opening celebration, visit the National Museum of Women in the Arts website.
| |
|
|
|
|
