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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial
color=#008000>The public is invited to the presentation of internationally known
artist, Mark Statsz of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
/><st1:place><st1:City>Bellvue</st1:City>,
<st1:State>Idaho</st1:State></st1:place>, of his proposal as the first of three
artists under consideration. His presentation is scheduled at <st1:time
Minute="0" Hour="11">11 a.m.</st1:time> Thursday, Feb. 23, in the Davis Hall
Theater at USAO. Stasz will present his proposal for the public art sculpture to
be erected in the Alumni Walk of Fame in front of the USAO Nash
Library.</FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#008000>Stasz is a fine arts graduate of
<st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Alfred</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName>University</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> in
<st1:place><st1:City>Alfred</st1:City>, <st1:State>N.Y.</st1:State></st1:place>,
and over the past 15 years, has created more than 200 site-specific works of art
for private, corporate and public clients. Stasz works specifically with metal
and rock that are ideally suited for large-scale outdoor sculptures. “The
elemental forms of my work are broad in aesthetic appeal—large open circles and
sweeping curves have an inherent beauty and gracefulness regardless of their
size,” Stasz said in his proposal to USAO.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>“They allow for the viewer to see through the work and place it visually
in its surrounding environment. I strive to create visual tension and intrigue
by incorporating the forms in an asymmetrical composition or by suspending large
rock forms.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial
color=#008000>USAO has selected three artists from a pool of 82 state, national
and international sculptors competing in USAO’s Nash Library Public Art Project.
Characteristic examples of their work can be viewed on the USAO website:
http://www.usao.edu/gallery/finalists.htm
<http://www.usao.edu/gallery/finalists.htm</FONT><SPAN
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