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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky today announced a design competition for a bronze statue of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks that will be permanently installed in National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol.
“I am excited that artists in Northwest Indiana have the opportunity to honor Rosa Parks, an inspirational American, with their work,” said Visclosky. “The spirit of Rosa Parks lives on in the citizens of communities throughout our nation. It lives on in those who stand up for what is right and just, even in the face of adversity. It lives on in the people whose actions reflect the spirit of resolve and achievement that will help move our country forward.”
In November, 2005 Congress unanimously passed a bill, of which Visclosky was an original cosponsor, to authorize the Rosa Parks statue. It marked the first time Congress had authorized a full-sized statue since the 1870s.
The competition will be administered by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the Architect of the Capitol and the Joint Committee on the Library. Interested artists should submit an application to the NEA by May 30, 2008 that includes a proposal for the sculpture and work samples that demonstrate the ability to cast large-scale bronze sculptures and to work in the portrait mode. A panel of experts will select up to ten semifinalists to create small-scale maquettes for consideration by the Joint Committee on the Library. The Architect of the Capitol will commission the winning artist to create a bronze sculpture and granite pedestal. More information on the contest and its guidelines is available at http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/RosaParks.html.
“Northwest Indiana’s artists have the chance to memorialize Rosa Parks in a permanent display in the Capitol and I hope they take advantage of this opportunity,” said Visclosky. |
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