SRAC adds a new member to the family

ART the Dalmatian will soon stand guard at Shreveport Common.

Production is under way to create a 20-foot solid white fiberglass Dalmatian that will look into the windows of the Central Artstation.

“We have been gifted the design of ART, who will l protect the Common,” Casey Jones, Shreveport Regional Arts Council marketing director, said.

ART, the Dalmatian sculpture, arrives at his new home in early 2014. William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg of Moonbot Studios designed the sculpture as a gift to SRAC.

“When [William Joyce and I] were invited by SRAC to design a piece of sculpture for the building, we loved the idea of playing with the idea of the fire station and also wanted to do something whimsical,” Oldenburg said. “We started to visualize a Dalmatian and what’s pretty awesome is that it is a donor-enhanced piece of art.”

Jones elaborates on the participation of the public for the new sculpture.

“ART is, of course, covered in dots and people can purchase a dot. When they do, there will be a plaque with the person’s name on it and a button – when you push the button, the spot designated for that person will light up,” Jones said.

In the tradition of the classic Disney movie “101 Dalmatians,” and as a nod to the Artstation’s fire station heritage, SRAC is offering the public the opportunity to purchase sponsored dots for $101 each. Proceeds from each illuminated dot go to SRAC and its programs designed to promote the arts and art education in Northwest Louisiana.

Oldenburg said he is excited about the aesthetics of the piece.

“From the exterior during the day, it’s a white-washed Dalmatian. But by night the spots will glow, which is pretty awesome. Our point of reference for this is we were remembering the days of RCA and their logo dogs [Their Master’s Voice], and we were always drawing that pose. But at the same time we gave him a little attitude and added a spiked collar. We think it’s really somewhat elegant and beautiful to have it whitewashed in the sense that it should be seen as a piece of art and sculpture,” Oldenburg said.

Jones said the “Give a Dot” campaign for ART is something that leaves a lasting tribute for whomever the dot is purchased.

“It’s similar in the way that people buy a star or a tree in the rainforest, except it’s a spot on a dog,” Jones said. “Dot” recipients will receive a gift card acknowledging the donor of the Dot.

ART is being fabricated in Denver, Colo. by the public art firm/custom metal fabrication studio JunoWorks from funding by the Educational Foundation of America.

“We have been fortunate enough to team up with Mike Mancarella and John Grant of JunoWorks. He was responsible for the giant blue bear (at the Denver Convention center) in Denver, and so he was the perfect person to help visualize the idea in the large scale,” Oldenburg said. “We were able to build the dog here on the computer at Moonbot [Studios] to our specs and then alter it to their specs and hand it over. It’s an interesting process to sculpt on the computer and then have it translated into 3D.”

In 2009, an arsonist destroyed the previous SRAC offices. “The Central Artstation actually houses SRAC now, but I don’t think a lot of people actually know that. They pass by and say, ‘Oh, they did a great job restoring the fire station.’ I actually moved into town the weekend of the arson, and I have seen the whole transformation of that building first person since I arrived. [Designing ART] has been an ongoing project for some time now. We have loved being a part of it,” Oldenburg said.

–Mandy Byrd

WANT TO GIVE?

Dots are available for purchase for $101 at www. shrevearts.org, at artspace, located at 710 Texas St. and Central Artstation (801 Crockett St.), or by calling SRAC at 673-6500. Dots purchased before Dec. 18 will receive a special holiday-themed gift card for the recipient. For more information about ART the Dalmatian, visit www.shrevearts.org.