Steve Blackwood, Internationally Acclaimed Sculptor, In Three Simultaneous Exhibits in Palm Beach County
Steve Blackwood, an internationally known sculptor whose work resides in Museums such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Cornell Museum of Art; US government collections and private collections world-wide is having a very busy year. Currently, until October 18, ten of his pieces are on display in the “Reimagined” exhibit at The Cornell Museum of Art in Delray Beach, FL. Five new medium and large scale works will debut at The Palm Beach Cultural Council in Lake Worth, FL September 11 through November 2015. Steve is also preparing a 10’ tall outdoor sculpture for the City of Boynton Beach. This piece, entitled, “Seed,” will be unveiled September 25 as part of the “Avenue of the Arts”. Caren Hackman spoke with Steve and wrote this report for us to share with you.
S T E V E B L A C K W O O D
Steve Blackwood
Steve Blackwood will be showing his sculptures in three simultaneous exhibits located in Palm Beach County:
“Reimagined”
Exhibiting through Sunday, Oct. 18th
Cornell Museum of Art
51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed major holidays
Cost: $5 suggested donation
Info: 561-243-7922 or delraycenterforthearts.org
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The Cornell Museum of Art has extended its show, which features avant-garde art by 16 artists who employ unusual materials, including recyclables, and innovative methods.
The Museum also will host First Friday Art Walk
October 2, from 6-9 p.m.
Caren Hackman shares, “I was intrigued by Steve’s work at the Cornell Museum and thrilled when The Rickie Report approached me about interviewing Steve. I wanted to know all about his process”.
“Poppy” by Steve Blackwood
Among the artists on display at “Reimagined” are Palm Beach County-based Steve Blackwood. He frequently combines wood, steel, neon and fiberglass. By joining the individual elements to create new objects, he gives them renewed life.
Cultural Council of Palm Beach County
“Made in Delray Beach”
September 11 through October 31
Free and open to the public:
Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cultural Council of Palm Beach County
The Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building
601 Lake Avenue | Lake Worth, FL 33460
PH: 561-471-2901 FX: 561-687-9484
info@palmbeachculture.com
Steve Blackwood with Sculpture Before The Cultural Council Show
For many of his smaller pieces, Steve works with found objects. For the smaller pieces, he experiments with position and relationships until the assemblages look just right. The larger pieces are planned more carefully because of the time and cost involved with experimenting. Many sketches are begun in photoshop which allows him to simulate how parts will come together. When needed, Steve uses Ebay and Etsy to get parts for some projects. When the items in his imagination cannot be found, he calls upon other artists and craftspersons to fabricate items.
“Inertia: Inertia Velocity Machine” by Steve Blackwood
For the clock he will exhibit at the Palm Beach County Cultural Council show Steve wanted wrought iron legs, like those he had seen on an artist friend’s work who has a foundry. Steve asked to have some fabricated for his clock.
“Seed” Drawing by Steve Blackwood
A large piece that is at the Cornell has “rocket legs.” Those started as cardboard cutouts, then were cut from plywood with steel banding added. Blackwood’s pieces are made to look like they have “always existed.” That means that the newer fabricated pieces are distressed and patinated to give them their timeless appearance.
Blackwood,Marcusa, Matt
Steve’s studio is occasionally filled with more materials one can possibly imagine. One piece in the Cornell, “Inertial Velocity Machine”, sprang from an ultimatum Steve’s wife gave him. She asked that he acquire no more “stuff” until he used some of the parts that he had already on hand in the studio. The playful “Velocity Machine” has working headlights (which did eventually have to be purchased). On occasion Steve allows Museum visitors to play with the works of art.
Sculpture by Steve Blackwood
Steve holds a BFA from the Art Institute of Chicago as well as AAS degrees in Advertising, Design and Marketing and has taught at the college level. Steve simultaneously developed his sculpture and design careers over the course of 25 years. As an art director, his clients include Playboy, Smithsonian, Time-Life, NY City Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Mastercard and VISA.
Avenue Of The Arts
Boynton Beach, FL
Opens September 23, 2015
Artists Reception
Friday, September 25, 2013
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Civic Center
128 East Ocean Avenue Boynton Beach, FL
Contact Debby Coles-Dobay, Public Art Administrator, at 561-742-6026 for more details.
www.boynton-beach.org
The Avenue of the Arts installation will begin September 23, 2013. Twelve new artworks, by eight artists, will be installed along the streets in Boynton Beach’s Civic/Cultural District. This is the seventh year for the Avenue of the Arts “on loan program”. Local, and national artists, submitted their artwork for the Arts Commission to select, and site, for the year-long outdoor exhibit.
An Avenue of the Art Artists Reception is planned for Friday, September 27, 2013, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at The Little House, 480 East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach. Hors d’ Oeuvres, and drink specials, are provided while officials, art patrons and the public can mingle with the Avenue of the Arts artists to learn more about their artwork. Special eco-friendly electric vehicles, provided by iJoyRides.com, will transport people to tour the Avenue of the Arts. The Avenue of the Arts is a easy walkable tour from The Little House location. Please contact Debby Coles-Dobay for information and reservations.
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“Seed” Placement in Boynton Beach Avenue Of The Arts
As a sculptor, Steve has shown in New York, Chicago, Washington DC, and currently throughout Palm Beach County where he resides and owns a Gallery and Studio. He is a master of materials, often combining wood, steel, neon and fiberglass.
Steve Blackwood At Milagro Center
Steve is the Director of the Arts Fusion Foundation. Sculpture, painting, glass fusing, pottery, dance and music are integrated into elementary at-risk youth programs. This outreach program involves artists of Artists Alley in Delray Beach, as an extension of the foundation’s overall impact agenda. More information can be found at Artsfusionfoundation.org. Artists from Artists Alley in Delray Beach have been involved with teaching at the Milagro center as part of this program. Steve can currently be seen in television commercials for the Milagro Center and an article will be coming out in the Sun Sentinel for his volunteer efforts with the Center. Steve teaches sculpture, Bob Schmidt teaches glass, and Susan Romaine teaches painting.
Susan Romaine at Milagro Center
Steve tells us, “Ongoing neuro-stimulation is key in development. Providing multiple streams of input is a power boost of learning excitement. The “fusion” of elements provides new ways for young people to look at their world; the ability to transform and create new paths for their future; a source of inspiration which gives them a strong sense of self and their ability to create change in their world”.
Steve was the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Heritage Foundation from 1994 to 1999; and is currently a board member of the Public Art Advisory Board in Delray Beach, FL. He has 5 daughters and one son who all share his interest and excitement in the arts as actors, musicians, painters and sculptors.
For more information about Steve Blackwood please visit:
http://www.steveblackwoodstudio.com
delrayartist@yahoo.com
His work is represented by Cacace Fine Art in Artists Alley, Delray Beach. Studios are located in Delray Beach and Boca Raton, FL.
Caren Hackman is a graphic designer and fine artist living in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. and author of a book about Graphic Design and Good Business practice: http://www.carenhackman.com/book/.
Be sure to check out Caren’s wonderful artwork – Caren is a talented artist in her own right! She is a founding member of the Artists of Palm Beach County.
www.carenhackman.com
