FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 27th, 2004
CONTACT: Vincent R. Farias (609) 265-5020 or Loretta O‟Donnell (609) 265-5028
BURLCO LAUNCHES PUBLIC ART SCULPTURE PROJECT
Eagles to Decorate River towns and Raise Funds for Non-Profit Art Groups BURLINGTON CITY – Burlington County business and organization leaders gathered together Monday night to hear about a new public art sculpture project to benefit local non-profit art organizations and promote tourism and economic development in the river towns. “The Eagles Have Landed” is the theme for the life-sized fiberglass eagle sculptures that will be creatively painted by Burlington County artists to interpret the history and culture of the river towns. “We chose the eagle as the project‟s symbol of strength and survival. Just as the once threatened eagle is making a comeback in our area, our riverfront towns and businesses are their comeback,” said Freeholder Director Vincent R. Farias. Burlington County‟s Culture and Heritage Affairs Office proposed the project earlier this year without grants or taxpayer dollars through volunteer committees and sponsors. (more)
PRESS RELEASE, EAGLES HAVE LANDED, ADD ONE, 4-26-04 Farias and Senator Diane Allen are honorary co-chairs of the project‟s steering committee, which includes county staff members and volunteers from NJ Transit, and local business, art and community organizations. Freeholder Dawn Marie Addiego said Monday , “We are excited about this dynamic new project to support our river towns and non-profit art, culture and historical organizations. While animal art exhibits have been done successfully in cities across the country, and internationally, we believe Burlington is first county to launch such a project.” The primary purpose of the kick-off event at Thommy G‟s restaurant was to present the project to potential business sponsors for the eagle sculptures. For the $5,000 sponsor cost, businesses or organizations will receive plaques with their names on the base of the sculptures, as well as other promotions during the project. After the sculptures are displayed at the county stations along the River Line and in nearby town centers for five months, the eagles will be auctioned at a gala event at Palmyra Nature Cove next fall. “This project is an outgrowth of a Burlington County initiative last year, after state funding cuts to the arts, to start a collaboration between art organizations and local businesses called „Partners for Progress‟ to strengthen public-private partnerships. These exhibits also provide opportunities for local artists to showcase their talents and add color and vibrancy to the community,” Farias said. For more information, contact Joyce Goldsmith, Administrator of the Culture and Heritage Affairs Office, at (609) 265-5838.