Student Artist to Design Life-Size Horse Sculpture for Local Fundraiser
By Sarah Brezenski and Anna Bowers
There is a giant purple, blue, and green horse in the library, and one lucky student-artist from Southern Virginia University is going to get to design their own.
In November, Southern Virginia University Art + Design Program joined “HorseMania”, a fundraiser for Blue Ridge Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children, an organization that assists abused and neglected children in the county.
Art students are in the process of proposing designs to Professor Doug Himes, Art + Design Program Coordinator, which are due Feb. 16. The chosen student will receive a $200 cash award and any necessary supplies to carry out the project.
The completed sculpture will join others designed by local artists. According to WSLS 10, the horses, manufactured by artist and entrepreneur Mark Cline, “will be placed in different locations across the county before they’re auctioned off during a live and online auction in November.”
Alex Stiles, Art Senator as Southern Virginia stated, “Student-artists who win this have the opportunity to direct their own team, which looks fantastic on a resume and is a great way to build up one’s art portfolio,” said Alex Stiles, Art Senator at Southern Virginia.
Speaking of the fundraiser, Professor Himes said, “There are lots of creative ways to raise money, and the visual arts are often a good vehicle for that,” Professor Himes said. Blue Ridge CASA for Children provides abused and neglected children with support through its court-appointed volunteer advocacy program. According to their website, their goal is that “every abused or neglected child in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive.” Juan Pablo Molina, the executive director of Blue Ridge CASA for Children hopes to triple the number of children aided, and the raised funds from HorseMania ought to substantially help reach that goal. “Our volunteers, without a doubt, change the life of a child with what they do,” he told WSLS 10.
The idea for the fundraiser originated in Lexington, Kentucky. Beginning in the year 2000, 79 horses were created and placed all over the city for the summer. It was repeated in 2010 with 82, and in both years the proceeds from the auctioned sculptures were donated to the city’s arts program.
“It’s not a completely original idea, but it’s an engaging one,” said Professor Himes. He believes the horse is a good choice for the Blue Ridge area because of the location of the Lexington Horse Center, as well as Southern Virginia’s own equestrian history.
HorseMania initially reached out to Southern Virginia asking if the school wanted to participate, “and of course,” said Professor Himes, “we did.” This fundraiser fits right in with Southern Virginia’s motto: “Learn that life is service.”
The winner of the contest won’t be the only student supporting the fundraiser; other students will have the opportunity to participate as members of the winner’s paint crew.
