vinnie bagwell v - urban culture institute · 2019-12-08 · this is the impetus for my work. the...

Vinnie Bagwell92 Main Street, Loft 204, Yonkers, New York 10701 | 914.843.4595 | [email protected] | www.vinniebagwell.com

25 July 2017

Christina Lanzl, PhD | DirectorUrban Culture Institute300 Summer Street | 23Boston, MA 02210

Re: Gertrude Howes Park Civil-Rights-Tribute Proposal

Dear Christina and Selection-Committee Members,

Iamhonoredtobeafinalist,anditiswithgreatexcitementthatIsubmitmyproposalconceptfortheGertrude Howes Park Civil-Rights Tribute. It would be my pleasure and an honor to serve the City of Boston with this public artwork because I grew up during the Civil-Rights Movement era, and had the pleasure of meeting Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as a child. My mother worked as a nurse alongside Bettye Shabazz, widow of Malcolm X. My undergraduate years were spent at a historically Black University in the 70s, so the Civil- Rights-Movement era is close to my heart. Making this artwork will be a labor of love for me, and I sincerely hope to see it realized.

Thank you for your consideration.

With gratitude,

Vinnie Bagwell

V

Vinnie BagwellGertrude Howes Park Civil-Rights Tribute

Finalist Proposal

FDesign Concept

or centuries, people of all colors have come together time and time againtofightfortheinalienablerighttofreedominAmerica.Weare thebeneficiariesofthepatriotswhostruggled,fought,anddiedto make freedom and equality a reality in this country. In celebration

of these efforts, I intend to deliver an authentic story about some of the most meaningful and rewarding moments in Boston’s local history. Viewers willbeinvitedtopauseandreflectuponthequantumleapsinsocial,educational,and economic progress that have been made by generations born after slavery and the Civil-Rights Movement. As a result, my goal is to provide a means by which to educate and sharpen memories while creating a sense of time and place. This is the impetus for my work.

Thetransformativenatureoffiresymbolizesburningdesire,vanquish-ing hope, power, and fortitude. This universal symbol quickens our minds and liftsourspirits.Thus,forthisplace,Ienvisionalargeblueflame(representingUniversal light), with a center brightened by a golden God-blown breath, for it is a catalyst for both initiating and completing metaphysical demonstrations: Thisflamerepresentsthelifeofalivingdemocracy.

Inmyvision,jostlingandcontrary“winds”challengetheflame,butinthemidstofthetest,firesymbolizesupwardmobility,forwardmotion,and rising aspirations. Low to the ground, the portal created by the “wind” in the center of the sculpture will invite the young and old tomoveintotheenergyoftheflametobe,perhaps,transformedandliftedoutoflimitation.Fortheflameisasourceofenergythat requires careful moderation and control to keep from being extinguishedbythewind.

The Civil-Rights Movement was characterized by major campaigns of civil resistance. Many people risked–and sometimes lost–their lives to play a role in releasing destiny’ssparkinunexpectedandamazingways.Here,everygeneration’sattentiontoBoston’sflameisilluminatedbythe stories their lives tell. The vocabulary of this work–rendered withrevealingsensitivity–ismeanttoexpressthetriumphofthehuman Spirit and provide a sense of community and harmony with forces larger, and more lasting, than the individual. It will represent pride and endurance because no amount of injustice will stop us. The fightforequalitygoesonandon.Weareofthefire.Weare“The Flame Keepers!”

Vinnie Bagwell | 92 Main Street, Loft 204, Yonkers, New York 10701 | 914.843.4595 | [email protected] | www.vinniebagwell.com

Design Concept Continued

Allegorical in nature, this work will have an immense power to illustrate complexideasandconceptsinwaysthatwillbeeasilydigestibleandtangibletoitsviewers.Thus,visualtextureofbas-relieftechniqueswillbeemployedto move the viewer, draw and hold the eye, and drive this facet of the story: Civil-rights leaders as well as noted abolitionists, Underground-Railroad conduc-tors, activists, political writers, artists, poets, and others pledged to the conviction of freedom will be discovered, linking arms, representing cooperative leader-ship–and its practice of non-violent resistance–while defying the ages for a great causesymbolicofthemantra:“WeShallOvercome!”Theirinfluenceisprofound,andcollectively,theirvisageswillexemplifythetruepotentialofcourageandintegrity.



Symbols may be found throughout that acknowledge the institutions, such as the Church, fraternal societies, and civic organizations, which sustained us through slavery, segregation, violence and oppression and provided the foun-dation for communal strength for mass action in the face of overwhelming odds. Onthelowerlickoftheflame,abovethepatriots,thepreambletotheConstitu-tion, “We the People”, will be incised to acknowledge the efforts made to secure legal recognition and federal protection of the citizenship rights enumerated in the Constitution and federal law for African Americans. Below, Braille reads, “My Soul is Anchored”, a bow to the many Spirituals sung by the faithful believers. “Since 1638” reckons the establishment of the City of Boston. The outside of the higher lick of the maquette has been deliberately left blank in hopes of collecting community input.

The sculpture will be 12’ high, hand cast in bronze, with a two-toned patina:Asheerblue(Massachusetts’color)ontheexterior,andpolishedgoldontheinterior.Thelow,18”-highpedestal,inspiredbytheRoxburyPuddingstone, will be fabricated in Mesabi® black granite. The 6’ circle will have a 6” upper bevel and a 12” lower bevel. Polishedtextontheupperbevelwillcitethetitle,“TheFlameKeepers”,the artist’s name, year, and commissioner. On the rear side of that bevel, Boston’s motto: “SICUT PATRIBUS, SIT DEUS NOBIS”–which means, “God be with us as he was with our fathers”–will be polished in the granite. All materials will be of high quality, require low maintenance, and be appropriate to an active pedestrian environment, taking into consideration the safety of the audience.


Polished text on Diamond-10 finished, Mesabi® black granite



The Hill

The Flame Keepers design will be com-plimentary to the beautiful and dramatic setting on the hill. Yet, it is also is designed to be engaged by its audience, including the elderly and those with disabilities or infirmi-ties–wheelchair bound, using walkers, or on crutches. The hill’s incline may challenge and prohibit interaction with the artwork for some. Another concern is that public artwork will be concealed in the tree-leafing seasons.



The Demi-Lune Wall

During the on-site visit, finalists were encouraged to seek alternate installation sites. Thus, installation to the right of the demi-lune, dry-stack stone wall is also being proposed. There, “The Flame Keepers” would be an ADA handicap-ac-cessible installation that would minimize the risk for injury to people with disabilities, and the artwork would be visible from the main thoroughfare. (Note: Child-friendly, the sculpture’s pedestal measures 18”h, which will encourage seating and exploration of the interior of the sculpture.)



“The Flame Keepers” will have a gravitas that will speak volumes toawakenreflectionsaboutourhistory,honorourtorchbearers,andfostercross-cultural understanding. An iconic sculpture, it will become a destination worthy of creative educators and interdisciplinary-teaching approaches for studentsofallages.Itwillbecomeatouristattraction,andvisitorswillexperiencea view into a mirror to the past that directs the future. They will be able to leave withtheabilitytoappreciateandaffirmthestrengthandbeautyofethnicandcultural pluralism. Moreover, they will gain a burning sense of our collective duty to continue to correct malice and pursue liberty and freedom for all.

Gertrude Howes Park Grading


X

X

SpecificationsSculpture

•12’hX6.5’d•Bronze|Verde-Gris/Gold|Polished


SpecificationsPedestal

•Mesabi®BlackGranite•Diamond-10Finish•6’dx18”h•6”x6”UpperBevel:•12”x12”LowerBevel•IncisedText

Vinnie Bagwell ©2017 City of Boston | Edward Ingersoll Browne Trust

The Flame Keepers


SICUT PATRIBUS, SIT DEUS NOBIS

The Flame KeepersVinnie Bagwell ©2017

City of Boston | Edward Ingersoll Browne Rrust

Work SchedulePhase I: Month 1-6

•ExecuteAgreement •Fabrication - Armature -Enlargement -Refinement

Phase II: Month 7-8

•Fabrication - Mold

Phase III: Month 9-12

•Fabrication -WaxCast -Refinement - Bronze Cast - Pedestal •Shipping

Phase IV: Month 12 •Installation - Foundation pouring -Stonepedestal/Apron - Sculpture


BudgetArtist Fee: $ 50,000.00

Fabrication | Sculpture: $155,000.00 - Studio -Enlargement - Mold -Wax/BronzeCast -Handling/Shipping - Installation Prep

Fabrication | Pedestal: $ 20,000.00 - Design -Cuttingofstone/incising -Handling/Shipping - Installation prep

Administration | Contingency $ 25,000.00 - Liability Insurance -Engineering|Permits,etc. - Foundation | Installation - Documentation - Transportation __________

TOTAL $250,000.00


Vinnie Bagwell has always been an agent for social, educational, and economic growth via the arts in her community. An alumna of Morgan State University, she is an untutored artist, and began sculpting in 1993. She is a powerful storyteller for the African diaspora who knowshowtoincorporatethestoryinafinely-tuned,visualportrayal of historical events: From “Frederick Douglass Circle”(a7’bronzeforHofstraUniversityandthe24”cen-terpiece for the Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center) to “Legacies” honoring African Americans, Hispan-icAmericans,andNativeAmericans(Memphis,TN),thecreative genius of Vinnie Bagwell’s sculptures gives voice to their stories and meaning to their legacies.

Vinnie’sfirstcommission:“TheFirstLadyofJazzEllaFitzgerald”–alife-sizedbronze–wascommissionedbytheCityofYonkersin1996.Itisthefirstsculptureofacon-temporary African-American woman to be commissioned by a municipality in the United States. Currently, Vinnie is leadingthedevelopmentof“TheEnslavedAfricans’RainGarden”–an urban-heritage, public-art project for the City ofYonkerstocommemoratethelegacyofthefirst

enslaved Africans to be manumitted by law in the United States,66yearsbeforetheEmancipationProclamation.Last year, New York State Council on the Arts and the City ofYonkerscommissionedhercreationofthetwo-of-fivelife-sizedsculptures.TheNationalEndowmentfortheArtsiscurrentlyfundingthethirdandfourthsculpture(s)(visitwww.enslavedafricansraingarden.org).

This year, the DC Department of General Services commissioned “What’s Going On!”, a 7’ bronze ofmusiciconMarvinGaye,“TheImmortals”,a12’x4’bas-relief wall-hanging for the Ron Brown Prep School, and “Contraband”, three bas-relief wall-hangings for the GarrisonElementarySchool.A7’bronzeofeducator,thelate Walter “Doc” Hurley, funded by the State of Connecti-cut,willbecomethefirstpublicartworkofacontemporaryAfrican American in the State of Connecticut.

Vinnie co-authored a book titled “A Study ofAfrican-American Life in Yonkers From the Turn of the Century”withHaroldA.Esannasonin1992.Manyfollowedher compelling articles about the diversity of Yonkers’ or-ganizations, businesses and cultural events in her weekly columnfortheHeraldStatesman/GannettSuburbanNewspapers as well as her provocative news stories in the Harlem Times newspaper.

Vinnie has won numerous grants and awards for artistic contributions to the community including the “TheElizabethCatlettTrailblazerAwardfromWestchesterCounty, NY, and “The Oscelo Award” from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., this year. Passionate about her work, Vinnie takes responsibility for outreach efforts to engage the community: Through public programs and social-media outlets for “friends”, “fans” and “followers”, she is able to engage viewers who may not normally have the opportuni-ty to see the daily creation of sculpture and public art.

JonathanLewis/Photographer

Artist BioVinnie Bagwell


Professional ExperienceCommissions• 2017: “Contraband!” Three“portal”entrancestotheGarrisonElementarySchool,Washington,DC|DistrictofColumbia Government Department of General Services, Washington, DC

• 2017: “‘What’s Going On!’ - Marvin Gaye”: 7’ bronze | The Marvin Gaye Community Center | Washington, DC | District of Columbia Government Department of General Services, Washington, DC

• 2017: “Sola and Olumide”5’(twochildren-of-fivebronzes)|TheEnslavedAfricans’RainGardenwillhonorthefirstenslavedAfricanstobemanumittedbylawintheUnitedStatesin1787|NationalEndowmentfortheArts|CityofYonkers,NY

• 2017: “The Immortals”:12’x4’bronze-resinwall-hangingsculptureofthegreatestsmusicians,bands,singers,andrappers of all time | The Ron Brown Preparatory School, Washington, DC | District of Columbia Government Department of General Services, Washington, DC

• 2017: “Walter “Doc” Harley”: 7’ bronze | Hartford, CT | State of Connecticut for the City of Hartford, CT

• 2016: “Themba”:6.5’(thesecond-of-fivebronzes)|TheEnslavedAfricans’RainGardenwillhonorthefirstenslaved Africans to be manumitted by law in the United States in 1787 | City of Yonkers, NY

• 2016: “I’Satta”:8’(one-of-fivebronzes)|TheEnslavedAfricans’RainGardenwillhonorthefirstenslavedAfricans to be manumitted by law in the United States in 1787 | New York State Council on the Arts and City of Yonkers, NY.

• 2015: “The Man in the Arena”:36”bronze3/4bustofPresidentTheodoreRoosevelt|RooseveltSeniorHighSchool|District of Columbia Government Department of General Services, Washington, DC

• 2012: “The Piano Lesson: Grace”:48”x24”|“ThePianoLesson:Faith:”12”x48”:Twobronze-resin,bas-reliefsculptures enhance a 116-year-old piano, the centerpiece of director Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s production of August Wilson’s play “The Piano Lesson” | The Signature Theater Company, New York, NY

• 2011: “Liberté”:24”bronze|Fortheyear-longinauguralexhibition,“RoadtoEquality:TheFreedomRidersof1961, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Riders at the new Freedom Rides Museum | The Alabama Historical Society and the Alabama State Council, Montgomery, AL

• 2010: “Legacies”:6’bronzeinstalledon6’wfield-stoneboulder,with9’Mesabi-black-granitering,withincisedtext,filled with river rocks in 17’d. plaza | Chickasaw Heritage Park | City of Memphis, TN

• 2009: “Enslaved Africans Rain Garden”:Five(5)1/3-scale,bronzesculpturesandsite-plandesignforanurban-heritagesculpturegardentohonorthefirstenslavedAfricanstobemanumittedbylawintheUnitedStates|CityofYonkers,NY

• 2008: “Frederick Douglass Circle”: 7’ bronze seated on a two-tiered Mesabi®, black granite pedestal, 15’d. granite plaza,withincisedtext|HofstraUniversity,Hempstead,NY

• 2006: “I Have A Dream”: 24” bronze-resin Martin Luther King, Jr. | Permanent collection | City of Roanoke, VA

• 2004: “Frederick Douglass Circle”: 27” bronze-resin | Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center, Highland Beach, MD | Highland Beach Historical Society

• 2000: “The Rev. Willie H. Upshaw”: 45”, bronze-resin, bas-relief wall hanging | Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Yonkers, NY

• 1996: “The First Lady of Jazz Ella Fitzgerald”:|Life-sizedbronze|YonkersMetroNorth-Amtraktrainstation|Thefirst public artwork of a contemporary African-American woman commissioned by a municipality in the U.S. | City of Yonkers, NY


Professional Experience - Continued

Awards• 2017: “The Oscelo Award”, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. | “The Elizabeth Catlett Trail Blazer Award”, Westchester County, New York | ArtsAlive GrantfortheEnslavedAfricans’RainGarden|ArtsWestchester• 2015: Spirit of the Woman Inspiration Award, Yonkers YWCA, Yonkers, NY | New York State Senate Proclamaton of Recognition | United States House of Representatives Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition | New York State Assembly Citation / City of Yonkers, New York, Certificate of Recognition• 2011: U.S. Congress Certificate of Achievement | U.S. House of Rpresentatives Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition | New York State Senate Proclamaton of Recognition (2) New York State Assembly Citations | Westchester County Board of Legislators Proclamation | Certificate of Recognition from the City of Yonkers Mayor, City-Council President, and City-Council District Leader• 2009: ArtsAlive Grant for the “The Father of the Blues” 100th anniversary | ArtsWestchester• 2003: Artistic Excellence Award | Yonkers Friends of the Arts and the Yonkers Downtown-Waterfront Business ImprovementDistrictacknowledging“TheFirstLadyofJazzEllaFitzgerald.”

Finalist Awards• 2017: Martin Luther King, Jr. Project | UNSW-Sydney, Australia• 2016: Marion S. Barry Public-Art Project | Washington, DC• 2016: Elizabeth Porter Park Public-Art Project | Marietta, GA• 2015: Mary Walker-Mary Ruth Dunbar Public-Art Project | City of Bradenton, FL• 2014: United States Mint Artist Infusion Program|UnitedStatesMint/DCGovernment,Washington,DC• 2014: Ballou High School | Department of General Services, DC Government, Washington, DC• 2014: Inianapolis African-American Cultural Trail | City of Indianapolis• 2014: Chuck Brown Memorial Park | District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities Commission• 2013: Virginia Union University Sequicentennial | Richmond, VA• 2013: Harriet Tubman and Thomas Garrett Park|CityofWilmington,DE• 2003: Frederick Douglass Circle Public-Art Competition for Central Park NW | City of New York, New York

Exhibitions•The Art of Her Story:March18-June26,2016|SkylightGallery/Bedford-StuyvesantRestorationCorporation, Brooklyn, NY | Group•Enslaved Africans’ Rain Garden: May 1-May 31, 2014 | Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, Yonkers, NY | Solo•African-American Cultural Trail: November 1, 2013-January 15, 2014 | Crispus Adducks Museum, Indianapolis, IN •The Unique Thelonious Monk: October 1-November 30, 2012 | Kenkeleba Gallery, New York, NY | Group•We Hold These Truths: April 23-July 30, 2013 | Hofstra Museum, Hempstead, NY | Group•Enslaved Africans’ Rain Garden: February 3-26, 2012 | Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, NY | Solo•Road to Equality:TheFreedomRidersof1961:”November1-30,2011|BarbaraWaltersGallery,Bronxville,NY|Groupexhibitiontocommemoratethe50anniversaryoftheFreedomRiders|Group•Road to Equality: The Freedom Riders of 1961:” May 2011-2012 | Freedom Riders Museum, Montgomery, AL | Groupexhibitiontocommemoratethe50anniversaryoftheFreedomRiders|Group•Enslaved Africans’ Rain Garden:September24-October25,2010|ArtsExchangeGallery,WhitePlains,NY|Solo•Common Bond XI: May 25-July 13, 2008 | Strathmore Fine-Art Gallery, Rockville, MD | Group •Frederick Douglass Circle: July 20, 2004-Present | Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center, Highland Beach, MD | Permanent collection•Individualist: February 28-March 31, 1996 | Nordstrom at The Westchester, White Plains, New York | Group

EducationMorgan State University, Baltimore, MD | Bachelor of Science | Psychology


vinnie bagwell v - urban culture institute · 2019-12-08 · this is the impetus for my work. the...

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