About Tony SmithA world renowned sculptor, born and raised in South Orange |
 The Sculpture Project A community works to bring Smith's sculpture TAU home |
 Enhancing a Community Reaffirming South Orange's reputation as an arts destination |
 Making it Happen Kiki and Seton, Smith's daughters, at the Art & Soul Gala in 2006 |
NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS!
Any amount is appreciated.
Please do it today!
Any amount is appreciated.
Do it today!
Contribute $500 or more to join the TAU 100 and have your name included on the permanent plaque at the sculpture site.
CHOOSE YOUR DONATION OPTION
1. ONLINE:
Go to networkforgood.com, a secure donation site for non-profits. At home page enter charity name: Lennie Pierro Memorial Arts Foundation.
2. MAIL:
Download the donor form, print, fill out, and mail with your check, made payable to Tony Smith Sculpture Project: 71 South Orange Ave. Box 335, South Orange, NJ 07079.
3. CONTACT:
mail@pierrofoundation@org
or call 973-762-4090
ABOUT TONY SMITH
Smith was born in 1912 in South Orange, New Jersey, about 14 miles west of New York City. He lived and worked here much of his life. Smith created many of his famous sculptures while living in his family home on Stanley Road in the historic Montrose district of town; some were displayed in his backyard. Prominent artists of the day, including friends Barnett Newman, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Tennessee Williams visited him there regularly. It was Williams who delivered Smith’s eulogy when he died in 1980.
 The sculptor with family members |
 1967 TIME cover featuring Smith |
In addition to MOMA, examples of Smith’s work can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Whitney Museum of American Art, the Guggenheim Museum, The National Gallery of Art, The Hirshhorn, the Walker Art Center, The New Jersey State Museum, the Newark Museum, the Montclair Art Museum, and the Nasher Sculpture Center. Cities where Smith’s work has been on public display include New York, Detroit, Princeton, Seattle, Minneapolis, San Antonio, Cambridge, Ottawa, Buffalo, Seoul, Dallas, Tokyo, Valencia, Boston, St. Louis, Louisville, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Toledo, Houston, Rochester, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Oslo, Honolulu, Albany, Milwaukee, San Francisco, and Miami.
The Matthew Marks Gallery in New York City represents the Tony Smith estate. For more information, visit the gallery website.
Today Kiki Smith, Tony’s daughter, is one of the foremost artists of her generation. Her sister, Seton, a photographer, is also well known in the art world. Both grew up in South Orange and attended Columbia High School. The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City mounted a major retrospective of Kiki’s work in November, 2006.
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 A trip to the Lippincott Foundry in Rhode Island in August 2006 to see the fabrication of South Orange’s TAU |
 Jane Smith
|
As common with many sculptors, Smith envisioned limited editions of three for his work. There is a TAU in front of Hunter College in New York City, where Smith taught. In contrast to that urban setting, the permanent site for this edition of TAU is Meadowlands Park in South Orange, on the slope between the Duck Pond and North Ridgewood Road.
The Emmy-award winning PBS show State of the Arts is producing a documentary on the project.
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Rendering of TAU site looking toward North Ridgewood Road from the far side of the pond
From Mead Street looking toward the pond and South Orange Middle School
Rendering by Ann Kearsley Design
The acquisition of a sculpture by an artist of Smith’s enhances the quality of life in our town and in surrounding communities as well. It is rare for a village of South Orange’s size (about 16,000) to possess such a prominent work of public art. Related arts education programs in district schools are being funded by The Pierro Foundation; an academic symposium is being developed in conjunction with Seton Hall University; and exhibits in several nearby museums and galleries are being explored.
The value of public art to a contemporary, diverse community cannot be overestimated. TAU, which is wholly owned by South Orange and its residents, will join established community art venues and programs at The Baird, including the Pierro Gallery and Giants of Jazz concert, and the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), in making the town a vibrant arts destination.
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It’s easy to make your tax
deductible contribution.
Any amount is appreciated.
Do it today!
Contribute $500 or more to join the TAU 100 and have your name included on the permanent plaque at the sculpture site.
CHOOSE YOUR DONATION OPTION
1. ONLINE:
Go to networkforgood.com, a secure donation site for non-profits. At home page enter charity name: Lennie Pierro Memorial Arts Foundation.
2. MAIL:
Download the donor form, print, fill out, and mail with your check, made payable to Tony Smith Sculpture Project: 71 South Orange Ave. Box 335, South Orange, NJ 07079.
3. CONTACT:
mail@pierrofoundation@org
or call 973-762-4090
President Judy Wukitsch presenting the 2006 Art & Soul honor to
community champion and visionary, realtor Roy Scott
The sculpture is installed, but our work is not done. Your help is still needed. Funds are necessary to cover the recent installation, lighting,
maintenance, and educational programming. Dedication festivities are being planned for a Spring 2009. Whether you are a member of our nearby towns, an admirer of the work of Tony Smith, or simply understand the value and importance of public art to a community, won’t you join us in completing the journey of bringing TAU home to South Orange? It’s easy.
See sidebar at right.
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$50 FRIEND To learn more and receive updates about the project
contact |
THE LENNIE PIERRO MEMORIAL ARTS FOUNDATION| JUDY WUKITSCH, President MARILYN HAYDEN, Vice President, fundraising JO JOCHNOWITZ, Vice President TONIA PAPKE WATERBURY, Treasurer SUSAN NAPACK, Secretary CHERYL ARNEDT, Past Vice President fundraising |
TAU ADVISORY COMMITTEE Theresa Burns Petra Chu Paul Golden Patrice Henderson Bryna Linett Bernice Napach John Nye Kathy Nye Peter Shapiro Hilda Silverman Larry Solan |