In conjunction with the San Francisco Arts Commission celebrating 40 years of Neighborhood Arts, Academy of Art University Graduate Fine Art Sculpture students participating in a Site Specific Public Art course created dazzling installation artwork around the exterior of the newly renovated Bayview Opera House and Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre. On Saturday, April 26, 2008, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, and San Francisco Arts Commission Director of Cultural Affairs Luis R. Cancel opened “Unveiling the Future,” a full afternoon of festivities featuring the unveiling of the historic Bayview Opera House’s beautifully renovated facade.
As a part of his welcoming address, Mayor Newsom cited the superb contributions of outdoor sculpture by ten Academy of Art University School of Fine Art Sculpture graduate students for the celebration of the Bayview Opera House’s vital role in Neighborhood Arts. Mayor Newsom also commended the Academy of Art University for their strong commitment to creating public art for disadvantaged communities in San Francisco.
On view around the exterior of Bayview Opera House through Friday, May 9, 2008 are:
• All the People: A silhouette inspired aluminum work by Vera-Annelies Clydesdale-Dove
• Chalk Mural: A vibrant mural depicting and involving the Bayview community by Debby Ramirez-Velo
• Musical Trees: A lively, colorful installation of flags and bells by Margo Musser
• Ruth Williams Memorial: A brilliantly realistic bust of Ruth Williams, a Bayview community resident who played a pivotal role in preventing the Bayview Opera House from being demolished. By Chan Il Hong and Frank Yefang Wang.
• Seeds of Hope: A labyrinth ground installation created with newsprint from the “San Francisco Bayview National Black Newspaper” and additional natural materials, fusing history, culture, and nature together. By Michael Feeney, Ruben Guzman, Lucia Hye Yoon Joo, Brett Mastaler, and Po-Chieh Wang.
Academy of Art University Fine Art Sculpture alumni, instructors and accomplished artists David Duskin and David Whippen advised the student artists as a part of the Academy Site Specific Public Art course.
The mission of the Bayview Opera House is to provide cultural enrichment by promoting community arts and education to ensure economic and employment development in the Bayview Hunters Point Community of San Francisco. Their vision is to develop an urban arts center that facilitates cultural diversity while providing an environment that promotes artistic expression in performing, literary and visual arts, music production and sound recording.
About Academy of Art University, San Francisco
With nearly 12,000 students, Academy of Art University is the nation's largest private art and design university. Established in 1929, the school offers accredited AA, BFA, M.Arch and MFA programs, as well as continuing art education with classes in copywriting, fashion merchandising, interior design, new media, computer animation, sculpture, graphic design, cinematography, industrial design, digital photography and car design. Students can also enroll in a flexible online degree program in art and design.
Academy of Art University is an accredited member of WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), NASAD, Council for Interior Design Accreditation (BFA-IAD) and NAAB (M-ARCH)
For more information visit www.academyart.edu or call 1-800-544-2787.
