Thomas Sayre selected as artists for PAHB public art

Tue, 15 Apr 2014 10:14:33 -0400

UMBC, in partnership with the Maryland State Arts Council, is very pleased to announce the selection of renowned artist Thomas Sayre to create a public art installation at the new Performing Arts and Humanities Building (PAHB). From the more than 140 qualified proposals, three finalists were invited to campus to present their site-specific design concept to the Principal Selection Committee. After much reflection and discussion, the committee voted Sayre’s concept as the most reflective of UMBC’s vision of a public art installation that invites community engagement, reflects the passage of time, and embraces the values and culture of UMBC.

Thomas Sayre has designed and built public art projects all over the world and has participated in design teams for civic, educational and museum buildings. Along with architect Steve Schuster, Sayre is a founding principal in the multi-disciplinary design firm Clearscapes, based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Sayre believes that art will only work when disparate opinions come together through collaboration to form a coherent vision.

On behalf of the Principal Selection Committee, we invite interested campus community members to meet the artist and preview his design proposal:

Friday, April 18, 2014
10:00-11:00 a.m.
PAHB Room 102

Principal Selection Committee (from UMBC unless otherwise noted): Vice President for Administration and Finance Lynne Schaefer, co-chair; Public Art Program Director Lucas Anthony Cowan (Maryland State Arts Council), co-chair; Associate Professor Helen Burgess (English); Alex Castro and Jan Goldstein (Maryland Commission on Public Art); architect Cliff Gayley (William Rawn Associates); Associate Professor Preminda Jacob (visual arts); Service Center Project Manager Mickey Miller (University of Maryland, Baltimore); Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Planning Yvette Mozie-Ross; Professor Timothy Nohe (visual arts, CIRCA director); Associate Professor Sandy Parker (geography and environmental systems); University Architect Joseph Rexing; and Professor Phyllis Robinson (biological sciences).