Artwork at new cultural facility to feature Austin’s African American historical, contemporary leaders - public artist to engage community for recommendations

Artist Reginald C. Adams will engage attendees to collect information about significant contributors to the advancement of Austin’s African American community at 6 p.m. on Wed, Jan 18 at the Street Jones Building, 1000 E. 11th Street.

Hosted by a selected committee of the African American Resource Advisory Commission and the City of Austin’s Art in Public Places Program, the event will be an opportunity for community members to participate in the selection of individuals whose images will be incorporated into the artwork for the new African American Cultural and Heritage Facility currently under construction at 912 East 11th Street.

The facility, designed by McKinney York Architects, is projected to be complete in summer 2012.

Community members are asked to recommend individuals who have contributed to the advancement of the African American community in the following categories: Civic and Community Leadership, Educational Leadership, Health and Environmental Advocacy, Arts, Culture and Entertainment, Faith-based Community Leadership and Business and Economic Development.

The selected committee of the African American Resource Advisory Commission and the Art in Public Places Program will host a second meeting on Jan 25, 2012 from 6:00 – 7:00PM at the Street-Jones Building to present the list of 100 Portraits and to collect any missing information about the selected individuals.

Reginald C. Adams was commissioned by the City of Austin Art in Public Places Program to create site-specific artwork for the new African American Cultural and Heritage Facility. He is a Houston-based artist who serves as President and CEO of the Museum of Cultural Arts Houston (MOCAH). He is best known for his brilliantly colored tile mosaic murals and sculptures, which are strategically located in some of Houston’s most historic and underserved neighborhoods.