Best of Show
Wanda M. Spangler-Warren's sculpture called "Dove" was awarded Best in Show last weekend at the Associated Artists of Butler County's annual Age of Aquarius Festival at The Art Center on Main Street.
The award-winning piece was crafted this month by Spangler-Warren of Buffalo Township. "The research, sketching and drawing the cartoon template took several hours, and actual construction took about 40 hours," she explained about her luminescent creation.
"AABC president Paul Scanlon approached me in late December about entering a new sculpture in the Age of Aquarius show. He mentioned the possible tie-in to the work of the Butler County Paper Pantry, which is currently promoting their program at The Art Center," said Spangler-Warren, whose main medium for her sculptures is paper.
"I think the Pantry is a worthwhile project filling a very real and practical need for our area, so I'm glad to help in my way," she said.
The Paper Pantry is a place that fills a gap where food assistance lacks. Food stamps can't be used for paper products such as napkins, paper towels and other nonedible household supplies, she said.
So some proceeds from the sale of "Dove" would benefit this organization. The price of the sculpture is listed at $1,000, and if it sells during the festival, the Art Center will receive its standard 30 percent member commission, with an additional 20 percent being donated to the Paper Pantry.
The dove idea, suggested by a friend, seemed perfect for several reasons, she explained. A dove has been used as a symbol of peace, especially during the '60s, and it was used during that decade on significant concert promotional posters, she said.
"In past years at The Art Center, we used the slogan 'Follow the dove to the season of love' to promote our Age of Aquarius art shows," she pointed out. "I felt this image was really appropriate for this winter season, and since 'Dove' is backlit and softly glows it is adding some much needed light to dreary long nights."
The sculpture is 60 inches high, 42 inches wide, and 11 inches deep. It has cool fluorescent lighting that plugs into a standard duplex outlet. It is hung with picture wire on a standard 10-pound picture hook.
"My luminescent sculpture work is a part of a very long tradition of sculptural paper arts," Spangler-Warren said. "The papier-mâché technique I use allows the paper to retain its translucency and has been likened to the Japanese Shoji screen in concept."
This piece is one of the larger pieces in cubic volume that Spangler-Warren has accomplished. She currently has a piece in the "Making Connections" show of the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in Shadyside and six pieces at the PPG building in Pittsburgh in a collaborative Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh exhibit.
During the Aquarius exhibit, The Art Center is acting as a collection point for the Butler County Paper Pantry. Visitors can take paper towels, diapers, bathroom tissue and facial tissue to donate.
The Butler County Paper Pantry was established in September 2008, funded by a $1,000 grant from the Butler Collaborative for Families. The organizations collaborating to support the Paper Pantry are the CCIS of Butler County, The Butler Library, Center for Community Resources, Family First, and The Butler County Children's Center.
Donated items are distributed through the Food Cupboard at Sunnyview. Those wishing to make donations can contact Anna Mae Rock at the Butler CCIS at 724-285-9431 or Laura Dobson at the Center for Community Resources at 724-431-3612.
Aquarius entertainment
In addition to the art exhibit, highlighted Aquarius events this coming week include live musical entertainment by Harrisville's own rock and blues band 16 Eyes at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Art Center.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and seating is limited; call 724-283-6922 for tickets for the concert. Aquarius events continue through Feb. 21.
