Artist Launches Public Project: Glass Art Treasures Free for the Taking

Beginning February 1, 2004, and throughout the remainder of the month, small works of glass art will be left in various places around the city of Toledo, Ohio by Black Swamp Glassworks, a private central-city glass studio. The items will be signed and tagged with a card explaining the project and clarifying that the found art belongs to the finder.

Toledo, Ohio (PRWEB) January 26, 2004 --Beginning February 1, 2004, and throughout the remainder of the month, small works of glass art will be left in various places around the city of Toledo, Ohio by Black Swamp Glassworks, a private central-city glass studio. These beads, vessels and small sculptures will be signed and tagged with a card explaining the project and clarifying that the found art belongs to the finder. The items will be left near shelters, in libraries, under bridges, in alleys and other spots around town.

This is my latest attempt to get art into the hands of the people, which is where it belongs", says the artist, known simply as 'Tink. Too often, art is treated as and perceived as being only for the privileged. Ironically, so much of what goes into art comes from the experiences of the oppressed, marginalized and forgotten segments of society. This is just my small attempt to chip away at those barriers and help reset the equilibrium. Everyone deserves to have art in their lives."

Why February 1? That is National Freedom Day, which memorializes the signing of the 13th amendment to the constitution in 1865. Its purpose is the promotion of good feelings, harmony and equality among all US citizens. Major Richard Robert Wright, Sr., a former slave who was active in education, finance, politics, and journalism, founded the National Freedom Day Association worked toward establishing this national day to commemorate freedom for all people.

A webpage has been established for discussing this public art project, and for logging your finds:
http://blackswampglassworks.com/publicart

Tink is a glass artist with a background in social work who lives in Toledo's Old West End. The award-winning artist teaches classes at Gallery B. She has studied privately with Robert Mickelesen, an artist represented in the current exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art: "Contemporary Directions: Glass from the Maxine and William Block Collection" which runs through February 15, 2004.
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