B-AA TO HOST OPEN HOUSE AT SCULPTOR’S BENSON STUDIO JUNE 14
June 11, 2008
June 11, 2008
B-AA TO HOST OPEN HOUSE AT SCULPTOR’S BENSON STUDIO JUNE 14
OMAHA – The Benson-Ames Alliance will host an open house at the studio of sculptor Matthew Placzek Saturday, June 14, in conjunction with the Benson Summer Festival. Placzek’s studio, located in the heart of downtown Benson at 5916 Maple St., will be open from 10 to 11:30 a.m. All festival goers and art lovers are invited to attend.
The festival, previously known as Benson Days, acquired its new name to reflect the area’s growing artistic and entrepreneurial environment. Activities will occur from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. along Maple Street between 59th and 63rd streets.
“We wanted to host an event that reflected Benson’s growing arts and entertainment scene,” said Troy Arthur, president of the Benson Business Association and a member of the Benson-Ames Alliance Steering Council. “Matthew is a world-class sculptor, and the open house is an opportunity for people to view the place where his creativity takes form.”
For the past 20 years, Placzek’s fascination with sculptural composition has grown and evolved into an art form that is uniquely his own. He breathes life into blocks of wood and clay, meticulously recreating works of nature and the human form. In 2003, Placzek was commissioned to create “Labor,” the second largest labor monument in the country. In 2007, he unveiled “Illumina,” his largest work to date. Located prominently outside Qwest Center Omaha, the work vividly symbolizes the arts and humanities that take place within.
Placzek displays and sells his work in galleries across the country. Many of his works are included in corporate collections.
The Benson-Ames Alliance was formed in September 2005 to help plan for and implement the revitalization of the Benson-Ames area. It is bordered by Western Avenue on the south, Sorensen Parkway on the north, Saddle Creek Road/Fontenelle Boulevard on the east and 72nd Street on the west. Omaha by Design serves as manager and administrator of the alliance.
For more information about the open house, contact Teresa Gleason at 402.342.3458 or teresa@omahabydesign.org. For more information about the Benson-Ames Alliance, visit www.benson-ames.org.