CultureNOW | A Celebration of Culture & Community

The artist, Donald Lipski, shares with us the story of how he acquired the cowboy hats from the Texans which comprised his sculpture and how he named the piece.

Donald Lipski shares the inspiration and challenges he faced in creating his mobile "Five Easy Pieces" for the Washington Convention Center

Donald Lipski explains his paired sculptures of Arthur (bicycle handlebars) and Sylvia (hosery) in a Chicago Municipal Building, the Former Goldblatt's Department Store.

Donald Lipski shares the story behind the siting and design of The Tent. The sculptor was chosen by the 500 Festival’s 50th Anniversary Artist Selection Committee, which was organized by the 500 Festival, with support from the Arts Council of Indianapolis and is comprised of representatives from the 500 Festival, the 500 Festival Foundation as well as representatives from the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Herron School of Art and Design, Expo Design and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  The Tent is a four story structure, two torqued panels of stainless steel tubing, holding nearly 500 panels, painted many colors on the outside and polished to a mirror finish on the inside. The flaps move in the slightest breeze. 

Preservation Planner Lynn Smiledge talks about the urban context of the Boston Art Club. The Boston Art Club was first conceived in Boston in 1854 with the consolidation of efforts between local artists, including Benjamin Champney, Alfred Ordway, Samuel Lancaster Gerry and Walter Brackett. Their desire was to form a democratic organization where the European tradition of independent, master-artists would be replaced with cooperation in the promotion, sale and education of art.

Preservation Planner Lynn Smiledge talks about the architecture of the Boston Art Club: the Queen Anne Style. The Boston Art Club was first conceived in Boston in 1854 with the consolidation of efforts between local artists, including Benjamin Champney, Alfred Ordway, Samuel Lancaster Gerry and Walter Brackett. Their desire was to form a democratic organization where the European tradition of independent, master-artists would be replaced with cooperation in the promotion, sale and education of art.

Preservation Planner Lynn Smiledge discusses the legacy of the Boston Art Club. The Boston Art Club was first conceived in Boston in 1854 with the consolidation of efforts between local artists, including Benjamin Champney, Alfred Ordway, Samuel Lancaster Gerry and Walter Brackett. Their desire was to form a democratic organization where the European tradition of independent, master-artists would be replaced with cooperation in the promotion, sale and education of art.

Preservation Planner Lynn Smiledge talks about the King's Chapel in Boston. It was one of the first major buildings in America to be made by cut stone. Boston citizens were unwilling to sell the Royal Governor land for a non-Puritan church, and so he chose to build King's Chapel on the town burying ground in 1688. By 1749, the building required expansion, and the congregation turned to America's first architect, Peter Harrison, to produce a church "that would be the equal of any in England." 

Preservation Planner Lynn Smiledge discusses the Old North Church. Built in 1723, it is the oldest church built in Boston. Old North – or Christ Church in the City of Boston, to give it its official name – is the oldest church building in Boston. It was designed by William Price, who probably copied its architecture from depictions of London churches by Sir Christopher Wren. The church’s first service was held in 1723. The belfry steeple didn’t arrive until 1740, and the bells – they are still there – were installed in 1745, after being shipped from England. A 15-year old Paul Revere signed on as one of the original seven bell ringers. Thirty years later, Revere arranged the famous lantern signal from the steeple that warned of the British and kicked off the American Revolution – “One if by land, and two if by sea,” in the words of the poem by Longfellow.

Lynn Smiledge discusses the redevelopment of the Quincy Market area.