John Henry
Artists and art lovers from all over the Southeast will have an opportunity to hear a presentation and then participate in an open discussion about sculpture with internationally known sculptor John Henry on Sept. 24.
ConFab, which is hosted by the Mid-South Sculpture Alliance, will kick off at 9 a.m. at Chattanooga State and will feature a key note address by Mr. Henry followed by a discussion between the sculptor and the audience. Attendees may also participate in an exhibit of small works of sculpture in a pop-up exhibition on site.
“The MSA ConFab isn’t your typical conference or symposium,” said Baggs McKelvey, managing director of MSA. “It offers an intimate approach much like a fireside chat, where participants guide the course of the conversation.”
Followed by a tour of the newly opened Sculpture Fields and Mr. Henry’s studio complex at 2 p.m., the event will culminate with the Masters Award Dinner at the studio home of Mr. Henry on the Southside.
At the dinner MSA will present the MSA Master's Award for lifetime achievement to Mr. Henry. He is known worldwide for his large-scale public works of art, which grace numerous museum, corporate, public and private collections. His works are exhibited in many American cities as well as throughout Europe and Asia.
“John’s work exhibits a definitive trademark style, recognized internationally,” said MSA President Isaac Duncan. “His sculptures range in scale from tabletop pieces to some of the largest contemporary metal sculptures in the world. He has a supreme commitment to materiality, and an unwavering insistence on maintaining the integrity of the process and the materials in developing his visual vocabulary.”
Also participating in the ConFab dinner is Michael Hall, artist, author, curator and educator, who now lives in Hamtramck, Mi., where he divides his time between his sculpture studio and the Columbus (Ohio) Museum of Art where he serves as adjunct curator of American Folk Art.
The cost of attending ConFab ranges from $40 for student members of MSA to $115 for non-members. The cost of the dinner is $40 per person for MSA members and $50 for non-members.
Lunch is included in the price. To make a reservation: admin@midsouthsculpture.org or 903-5648. To become a member: http://midsouthsculpture.org/membershiplevels.