Thanks to 55 "backers" and an internet funding website called Kickstarter, Lubeznik Center for the Arts successfully raised the $4500 they needed to transport a 10 foot tall, 750 pound sculpture titled Vessel from New York to Northwest Indiana for their Text Messages exhibition, opening July 1.
A striking sculpture of wood and steel, Vessel features fragments of poetry meticulously cut from plywood and attached to a massive metal framework. Artist, Amanda Katz, had previously exhibited the large-scale work at Grand Rapid's Art Prize where it was spotted by Lubeznik Center curator Carol Ann Brown.
"As soon as I saw it, I knew that it would be perfect for Text Messages, a planned exhibition of work by artists who use language, text or typography to help convey meaning," says Brown. Although Katz had offered to loan Vessel to the center free of charge, Executive Director Carolyn Saxton challenged Brown to locate funding to cover the cost of transport and installation.
A non-profit arts organization, the lakefront art center posted their project titled, "Vessel Voyage" on Kickstarter in early May--wooing potential investors with road-trip themed rewards ranging from bookmarks to an exclusive cocktail reception. With just 30 days to achieve its funding goal, Vessel Voyage crossed the finish line just days ahead of the Thursday, June 2 deadline.
Vessel is scheduled to end its cross-country journey on June 29, coming to rest on the front lawn of Lubeznik Center for the Arts at noon. The public is encouraged to join in the excitement as the sculpture is lifted off the truck in one piece and installed just off 2nd Street, where it will remain through September. An opening reception for Text Messages will be held on Friday, July 1, from 5 to 8 Central.
The Lubeznik Center is located at 101 W. 2nd St., at the lakefront in Michigan City, IN. Gallery Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Galleries are closed on Mondays. For more information please visit www.lubeznikcenter.org or call 219-874-4900. All times are based on Chicago time.