The Revolving Museum Diane Testa, 978-937-2787 Dtesta@revolvingmuseum.org

For Immediate Release November 21, 2005

The Revolving Museum, Lowell Historical National Park and

The City of Lowell collaborate to present

THE VISIONARY VILLAGE

An outdoor collection of public artworks responding to themes of Lowell – Industry, History, Art, The Flowering City, and Immigration

November 26, 2005 through September 30, 2006

Location: Mack Plaza, Lowell, MA

(Shattuck Street between Merrimack and Market Streets)

Open to the public, 24 hours a day, free

Opening at Mack Plaza as part of the City of Lights Parade on November 26^th, The Revolving Museum Artistic Director Jerry Beck transformed his artwork, The Secret Ark of Icon Park, a public artwork originally commissioned by the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, into The Visionary Village, a collaborative series of public artworks created by a team of artists and youth. Five sculptural installations are positioned throughout the block in the Mack Plaza area, giving pedestrians a public art treat during the dreary days of winter. These sculptures will be illuminated at night, glowing like jewels in the open plaza, allowing the public to discover them throughout the day and evenings.

“The City of Lowell is excited to host this spectacular public art exhibit. The Visionary Village public art series exemplifies the history and culture that makes Lowell such an extraordinary city. Successful partnerships have helped to establish Lowell as a center of art and entertainment. I encourage both residents of Lowell and visitors to our city to experience this exhibit.” - City Manager, John Cox

Public artworks include:

· The Great World Boat, (located inside the cage site adjoining the Mack building) a 50-foot authentic Cambodian Dragon Boat with twelve carved oars Beck calls his Oracles of Healing Dreams, presented against a dramatic backdrop of blue acrylic panels with photographs and paintings created by over fifty youth and community members. The Cambodian Dragon Boat was donated by the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association and will be painted to its original condition by the Cambodian Artist Association.

· On the wooden deck on Merrimack Street, sculptors Jack Welch, Bob Pittman, Marty and Michael Ulman, Diana Coluntino, Jerry Beck and others have created You Wanted Pretty and The Flower Wheel. Using a large hand-cranked wheel, viewers can step up and imaginatively steer the sculpture, which brings attention to the identity of Lowell as The Flowering City. The highlight is Jack Welch’s 20-foot high flowers that poetically magnify the long-term plan to plant flowering gardens throughout the city.

· Nora Valdez created Waiting to be Treasured, a lone figure of stone nestled in a silver treasure chest, located on the canal entrance of The Victorian Garden, sets a contemplative mood. The figure is hand-carved by Ms. Valdez and the chest is created from textile spool trays, bringing Lowell’s textile history to the forefront of our thoughts, memories, and national fame. Nora also created the Community Art Train, located just across the canal, with over 100 youth from the Lowell Community Charter School in 2003.

· Also responding to Lowell’s textile history is nationally recognized public artist Cindy Snodgrass who led a team of artists including Bea Howard, Rob Duarte, and The Revolving Museum interns in the creation of N-S E W: In-Compass, Spirals of Compass-ion, An Icon Shrine, an all-textile related structure that acts as a weather vane, this interactive piece located next to Enterprise Bank and Trust and next door to the New England Quilt Museum, honors the mill girls of Lowell and their role in American history.

· The Industrial Owl, developed by artists Jerry Beck and Jack Welch, with assistance from Jon Taylor and Nadya Volicer, is a wind-activated sculpture located at the canal entrance of The Victorian garden. This sculpture offers a commentary on America’s obsession with the commodity of violence, and our reliance on oil instead of earth-friendly energy sources.

· Additional artworks are being developed with artists and youth and will be added to The Visionary Village next spring and summer. Look for public art fountains, lanterns and sculptures to grace the plaza throughout the summer.

The Visionary Village is funded and supported in part by the City of Lowell and Lowell Historical National Park, with additional support by The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, Electrical Distributors Incorporated, Owl Stamp Company, and The Revolving Museum members, friends, and volunteers.

All artworks are for sale. Proceeds will go to support The Revolving Museum’s educational programs.

These artworks and artists’ expressions are those of the artists and not the opinions or viewpoints necessarily shared by the City of Lowell and/or the Lowell Historical National Park.

Contacts:

City of Lowell, Susan de Mari, Downtown Coordinator, SDemari@ci.lowell.ma.us, 978-446-7150

Lowell Historical National Park, Phillip Lupsiewicz, phil_lupsiewicz@nps.gov, 978-970-5039

The Revolving Museum, Jerry Beck, Artistic Director, jbeck@revolvingmuseum.org, 978-937-2787

Images available upon request from The Revolving Museum, Diane Testa, dtesta@revolvingmuseum.org, 978-937-2787