FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2014

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Hamilton A Sneed, Marketing & Events Liaison

Phone: (214) 454-5683

Email: h@hasevents.com

Sharon Cornell, Public Relations Specialist

Office: (972) 925-1227

Email: SModabberi@dallasisd.org

One Arts Plaza Banner Installation features Booker T. Washington Visual Arts Students

Artwork by young artists Brett Akop, Samantha Smathers and Mary Woodward

DALLAS (October 21, 2014) — On October 21, 2014 One Arts Plaza revealed artwork created by Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts students.  Prominently featured on 22’7" x 23'9" banners, the illustrations hang on the buildings façade facing Flora and Routh Streets. 

Paige Furr, Visual Arts Coordinator for Booker T. Washington says, “It is an honor to showcase our visual arts students’ work with this stunning installation and we are thrilled to partner with One Arts Plaza.” 

Submissions were received from students in the visual arts program and three were chosen to have their artwork on display including juniors Brett Akop and Mary Woodward, and senior Samantha Smathers. While the decision was not easy, these students were selected for their vibrant illustrations, use of color and texture and overall talent as young emerging artists. 

“The students at Booker T Washington HSPVA represent the future of the arts and we are delighted to feature the artistic talents of these emerging young artists,” says Lucy Burns, Partner Billingsley Company. “As a building that anchors the Dallas Arts District, we take pride in providing visual and performing arts showcases in our plaza and lobby spaces that feature our community’s creative minds and future leaders. Our hope is that visitors to One Arts and the Arts District have an opportunity to share in this visual arts experience,” says Burns. 

ABOUT THE ARTISTS 

Brett Akop is a junior and plans to apply to The Pratt Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, and the School of Visual Arts in New York. Upon graduation he will pursue a career in illustration and graphic arts & design. Brett’s piece is titled Stained Glass Self Portrait. 

Samantha Smathers is in her senior year with plans to attend college next fall studying sociology and fine arts. Her piece titled Cabbage Patch Byron features her friend Byron showcasing his love for the leafy vegetable, cabbage and her concern about the diets of teenagers.  In the future, Sam would like to take a global art history journey from the White Ziggurat in Iraq to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. 

Mary Woodward is a junior with collegiate plans to major in photography and minor in fashion studies. She will pursue a career in the photography industry creating her own designs and capturing life’s important moments. Mary’s piece titled Self Portrait. 

The banners will be on display until Spring 2015. 

About One Arts Plaza

As a place to call home, it redefines modern elegance. As a place to conduct business, it redefines state-of-the-art. One Arts Plaza is a $125 million multi-use structure, the first of three buildings on over 10 acres at the eastern edge of the Dallas Arts District. Future plans for Two Arts and Three Arts include outdoor parks with Wi-Fi, fountains and cafes. Arts Plaza provides an urban oasis to enhance the lives of everyone that lives, works and visits the Arts District. One Arts Plaza’s prominent location at the eastern end of Flora Street makes it the focal point of the entire Arts District. The Plaza, adorned with dynamic fountains, is alive with vibrant restaurants including the award-winning Tei-An, Jorge’s Tex-Mex, Proof + Pantry and Yolk (fall/winter 2014), live music and outdoor entertainment, making it a true destination. For more information please visit www.oneartsplaza.com.

About Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts

Since it’s inception in 1976, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, also known as “Arts Magnet”, has prepared students to attend college, conservatory, or to enter the professional field. Since its inception the school has garnered 23 presidential scholars and 237 DeeBee awards sponsored by Downbeat Magazine – a total unmatched by any institution, college or university in the country. The distinguished faculty includes Fulbright Scholars, a Christa McAuliffe Fellow, a National Tandy Technology Scholar, a TI STEM Grant teacher, National Board certified teachers and several Surdna Fellows. The school’s dual emphasis on arts and academics consistently produces a stellar list of graduates.  Among those are Grammy winners such as R&B vocalist Erykah Badu, jazz singer Norah Jones, jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove, members of the gospel group God’s Property, and Brave Combo. Other notable alums include dancer Jay Franke, Philadelphia Orchestra cellist John Koen, visual artists Christian Schumann and Chris Arnold, drummer Aaron Comess, and Edie Brickell of the New Bohemians.

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