LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Sculpture
Space on June 17, 2016, and paying tribute to this year's honorees

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention to
individuals and organizations that devote their time and energies to the
cultural enrichment of the Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 40th Anniversary of Sculpture Space celebrated at a Tribute on
Friday, June 17, 2016, at The Dorothy Smith Center for Advocacy at The
Resource Center for Independent Living, Utica, New York, and paying
tribute to this year's honorees; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious event will also recognize friends of Sculp-
ture Space, talented artists and leaders of the art world, Sylvia de
Swaan and Jonathan Kirk; and
WHEREAS, Sculpture Space is a non-profit organization which supports
sculptors from Utica, New York, as residency participants, as well as
those who continue sculpting after their residencies; approximately 20
artists every year are accepted into its two-month residency program;
and
WHEREAS, Since the late 1970s, Sculpture Space has been instrumental
in helping hundreds of national and international sculptors alike
advance their careers; and
WHEREAS, For 40 years, Sculpture Space has encouraged interaction
between national and international artists and the local community in
Utica and the nearby region; and
WHEREAS, True to its mission, Sculpture Space hosts various studio
tours, places works in public domain and welcomes school groups to meet
the working artists; this vital organization also collaborates with
other groups in exhibiting the projects of many artists, and conducts
lectures at learning institutions such as Hamilton College, Syracuse
University, Colgate University, Pratt at Munson Williams Proctor Insti-
tute, Utica College, Onondaga Community Colleges and other universities;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, Sculpture Space offers the Artist-in-Residence
Program, providing equipment, space, assistance and various specialized
resources for residents of the Mohawk Valley; the public is invited to
work-in-progress receptions wherein the artists themselves share some-
thing about their careers and their works; artworks which have been made
and first seen in Utica is often exhibited in many galleries, sculpture
parks and museums around the globe; and
WHEREAS, Sylvia de Swaan is a Romanian born visual artist/photographer
who has lived, worked and exhibited in Mexico, Europe and the United
States; she moved from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Central New York in
the late 1970s, and has been actively involved in the Mohawk Valley art
community ever since; and
WHEREAS, An internationally exhibited artist, Sylvia de Swaan was the
first Executive Director of Sculpture Space from 1979-1995, and has
served as an independent curator; in addition, she was a visiting facul-
ty member of the art department at Hamilton College; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure at Sculpture Space, Sylvia de Swaan stabi-
lized the organization and established its credibility by broadening its
aesthetic orientation, linking it to the national and international arts
community by making it a founding member of the National Association of
Artists Organizations, and the National Alliance of Artists' Communi-
ties; and

WHEREAS, Under Sylvia de Swaan's luminous guidance, Sculpture Space
received a New York State Governor's Art Award and a John D. and Cathe-
rine T. MacArthur Foundation Award for the uniqueness of its services to
the art field; and
WHEREAS, After she left Sculpture Space in 1995, Sylvia de Swaan has
enjoyed travelling and has devoted herself to perfecting her personal
photographic work; and
WHEREAS, For her incredible work, Sylvia de Swaan was the recipient of
grants from the New York Foundation for the Arts, Aaron Siskind Founda-
tion, ArtsLink, Light Work, Constance Saltonstall Foundation, Virginia
Center for the Creative Arts, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Aust-
rian Ministry of Culture, and Anderson Ranch Art Center, as well as
Society for Photographic Education; and
WHEREAS, Born in Saffron Walden, Great Britain, Jonathan Kirk earned
his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from St. Martins School of Art, London,
in 1978; he furthered his education by obtaining his Master in Fine Arts
degree from Syracuse University in 1980; and
WHEREAS, A gifted artist, Jonathan Kirk has received grants and awards
from the Constance Saltonstall Foundation, New York Foundation for the
Arts, the Pollock Krasner Foundation, the Adolph and Esther Gottlieb
Foundation, the Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation, and the Elizabeth Green-
shields Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Jonathan Kirk has shown his spectacular work in various group
and solo exhibitions and some of his pieces are in permanent collections
throughout the East Coast, and at the Griffiss International Sculpture
Garden in Rome; and
WHEREAS, From 1980-2000, Jonathan Kirk held the position of Studio
Manager of Sculpture Space; in this capacity, he directed the expansion
and renovation of the facility through a grant from the MacArthur Foun-
dation, which was matched by the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Jonathan Kirk continues to live and work in Utica,
and is represented by the Robert Steele Gallery in Chelsea, New York
City; and
WHEREAS, As managers of Sculpture Space, Sylvia de Swaan and Jonathan
Kirk formed a cooperative working relationship, making it possible for
them to achieve great successes on minimal resources; together, they
oversaw the purchase of the building, which had been part of the Utica
Steam Engine & Boiler Works Factory; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the guidance and leadership of President, Helen
Madden, Sculpture Space remains committed to providing artists with the
time and resources to fully explore their creative potential, and
.SO DOC S R6486 RESO TEXT 2015
continues to expand public awareness of and support for contemporary art
by creating opportunities for artists to share their work with the
community through exhibitions, lectures, and educational outreach; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate
those events which add strength, vigor and inspiration to the cultural
diversity and quality of life in the communities of the State of New
York; and
WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of
our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to
everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we cele-
brate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in
which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression
of the soul; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Sculpture Space on June 17, 2016,
and paying tribute to this year's honorees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Helen Madden, President, Sculpture Space, Sylvia de Swaan and
Jonathan Kirk.