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For Immediate Release March 25, 1999
Artists Selected for Stadium and Exhibition Center
SEATTLE: A national Call for Artists to participate in the new Washington State Football/Soccer Stadium and Exhibition Center has concluded with 12 artists being selected for commissions of original works. The Project's Art Selection Committee reviewed proposals from 22 semi-finalists before recommending the slate of 12 artists to the Public Stadium Authority (PSA) Board of Directors at its regular meeting today. The PSA Board reviewed and approved the Art Selection Committee's recommendations. A total of 254 responses to the project's request for qualifications were received.
The selections were made by an 11-member Art Selection Committee that includes artists, arts professionals, representatives of the project's surrounding neighborhoods, a representative from eastern Washington, the Vice-Chair of the PSA Board, and a representative from the project's private partner, First & Goal Incorporated.
"The Art Selection Committee chose 12 artists whose works will add significantly to the Stadium and Exhibition Center Project, as well as to the public art experience in South Downtown Seattle. We're pleased that the Committee selected artworks that both complement the new facility and represent the most innovative thinking in contemporary art," said Jody Patton, First & Goal Vice President.
Fred Mendoza, PSA Board Vice-Chair and a member of the Art Selection Committee also commented, "I gained a new appreciation and admiration for the process by which public art is viewed and selected. The Art Selection Committee showed great dedication and care in the process to ensure that its selections met the mission established by the Public Stadium Authority to commission original works of art that are innovative, compelling, contemporary, diverse and complementary to the Stadium and Exhibition Center."
Although voter-approved Referendum 48 that created the Stadium and Exhibition Center Project did not require an art program, Paul Allen agreed to contribute $1.75 million for works of art, in addition to providing in-kind administrative support for the art program through First & Goal.
The mission of the art program that guided the selection of artists is as follows:
- To engage both regionally and nationally-known professional artists to create artworks that capture the public's interest and imagination.
- To select artwork so compelling that visitors from around the world will come expressly to see it.
- To represent a diverse range of cultural and artistic perspectives.
- The works will be source of pride for the entire region.
Phase I of the project — construction of the Exhibition Center and parking garage — is currently underway and is scheduled for completion in November, 1999. Phase II — removal of the Kingdome and construction of the Football/Soccer Stadium — will be completed by the summer of 2002.
To see a list of selected artists, go to Selected Artists and Art Project Descriptions.
To see the art selection committee, go to Art Selection Committee.
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For further information, please contact Suanne Pelley, PSA (206) 205-8620
or Susan Pierson Brown, First & Goal Incorporated, (425) 990-7000
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