Albright Knox Mural, Buffalo NY Completed
2016 Pittsburgh Magazine article about exhibition "Emergent Patterns"
Mike May “Spotlight: Birds of a Feather,” Pittsburgh Magazine, November 23, 2016, http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pittsburgh-Magazine/December-2016/Spotlight-Birds-of-a-Feather/
2015 Video of the making of "Gaurdian of the Waters" mural in Lockport, NY 2015
2015 Interview about "Go!" Mural
Lauren Hall, Interview, “Public Art Brightens Up Cobblestone District,” WIVB Channel 4, July 21, 2015
2015 Interview about "Go!" Mural
Press Release- Mural Project in Cali, Colombia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2015
Contact: Kathleen Rooney Communications
716-572-5854 (Mobile)
KRooney.PR@gmail.com
U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center Send
American Mural Artist to Colombia
Community Engagement through the Arts, an exchange program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State, advances U.S. foreign policy by addressing local issues – such as women’s empowerment, HIV-AIDS prevention, social inclusion, conflict resolution, and the environment – in overseas communities through the mural arts.Community Engagement through the Arts is being implemented by the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy at Meridian International Center. Thus far, American artists have been sent to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Additional artists will also travel abroad to Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, India, and Turkey.
Working with an international community to develop a tangible artwork, the program reaches wide audiences while also fostering in-depth engagement with specific groups, such as artists, women, and underserved youth. To further community engagement, American artists conduct workshops, master classes, public talks, and other outreach activities, in addition to designing and executing collaborative murals.
Augustina Droze, an artist based in Buffalo, New York, will be traveling to Colombia from May 26 to June 16 to work with communities there. Ms. Droze works primarily as a public artist and muralist as well as a painter and has over 14 years of experience in the industry. She has worked with a variety of public art agencies, including The Chicago Public Art Group, the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, The Indianapolis Arts Council, Cleveland Public Art, and numerous municipalities, as well as large corporations including The Forbes Company. Ms. Droze also completed a large-scale mixed media mural in Nagpur, India, on the facade of a government complex. Her paintings can be seen in galleries and collections across the United States. (more)
For her exchange in Colombia, Ms. Droze will work closely with the Centro Cultural Colombo Americano (CCCA) and the U.S. Embassy Bogotá, along with community members and local artists in Cali, Palmira, and Buga. Asked about the project, Ms. Droze stated, “I look forward to collaborating with the citizens of Cali to create a mural that showcases Colombia's renewal with emphasis on social inclusion across all former class, ethnic, and cultural divides.” She plans to highlight themes such as women’s empowerment and indigenous cultures in her mural designs, which local program participants will help develop.
For updates on Ms. Droze’s program in Colombia, follow #muralartsCALI. For further information about Augustina Droze and more images of previous projects and paintings, visit www.augustinadroze.com.
About Meridian International Center
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Meridian International Center is a premier global leadership organization that provides valuable insight and experiences across borders, cultures, and sectors. Meridian works with the U.S. Department of State and partners in the government, private, NGO, and educational sectors globally, to create lasting international partnerships through leadership programs and cultural exchanges. Meridian also connects U.S. and foreign governments with the private sector to respond to global challenges and sustain impact.Meridian’s mission is to create innovative exchange, educational, cultural, and policy programs that advance three goals:
• Strengthen U.S. engagement with the world through the power of exchange
• Prepare public and private sector leaders for a complex global future
• Provide a neutral forum for international collaboration across sectorsAbout the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) builds relations between people of the United States and the people of other countries through academic, cultural, sports and professional exchange programs, as well as public-private partnerships and mentoring programs. These exchange programs improve foreign relations and strengthen the national security of the United States, support U.S. international leadership, and provide a broad range of domestic benefits by helping break down barriers that often divide us, like religion, politics, language and ethnicity, and geography. ECA programs build connections that engage and empower people, and motivate them to become leaders and thinkers; to develop new skills; and to find connections that will create positive change in their communities. Alumni of ECA exchange programs comprise over one million people around the world, including more than 40 Nobel Laureates and more than 300 current or former heads of state and government around the world.For more information, visit: http://www.exchanges.state.gov/us
The Centro Cultural Colombo Americano (CCCA) of Cali is officially recognized by the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá as a Bi-national Center. CCCA is a non-profit foundation that has provided instruction in the English language and cultural activities in Colombia since 1954. Currently, CCCA has four locations – two in Cali, one in Buga, and another in Palmira – which together serve more than 5,000 students of all ages.
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For more information about the Mural Arts Exchange, please contact: Mr. Terry K. Harvey, Vice President of Cultural Programs, at tkharvey@meridian.org or (202) 939-5566.
2014 Travel blog posting about public art in Buffalo
2014 Review of solo exhibit at Indigo Gallery, Buffalo, NY by Artvoice
2014 Review of solo exhibit at Indigo Gallery, Buffalo, NY
2013 Clarence Bee article about Clarence Hollow mural in NY
2013 Documentary video about Global Voices Mural in Buffalo, NY
2012 Architecture Chicago posting about West Side murals in Chicago
2013 Buffalo State College article about Grant Street mural
2013 Buffalo Spree article
2013 Posting about "Sacred Circles" mural in Burien, WA
2013 Buffalo News article about Global Voices mural, Grant street in Buffalo, NY
2013 Article about Grant Street mural in Buffalo News
2012 Information about the Market Square Park project in Cleveland
2012 Ohio City posting about Cleveland mural
2012 Highline Times article about Burien, WA mural
2012 National Endowment for the Arts posting about Global Voices mural
2012 Posting about Burien, WA mural
2012 Baltimore Sun article
2012 Augustina Droze on cover of Gusto in the Buffalo News
2011 Olmsted Legacy Mural Video
2011 Transcript and recording from Maryland Morning story about murals in Baltimore
2011 Transcript of NPR Buffalo (WBFO) story about McKinley mural project
2011 Article about Nagpur, India mural
2011 Posting about Indianapolis mural project
2011 Chicago Tribune article about art and mural in Ft. Sheridan Forest Preserve
2011 Information about the Indianapolis mural
2011 Art News Buffalo Interview about McKinley Mural Project
2011 Buffalo Rising article
2010 Video about Oak Pak mural
2010 Insect Art Online interview
2009 Detroit News article featuring mural created in Detroit Fish Market
2008 Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ) Recording and Transcript of interview about Chicago "Great Hopes Mural"
2008 New City Chicago interview
2008 Gapers Block Chicago interview
2008 Recording of interview on Cincinnati Public Radio (WVXU)
2007 Sun Sentinel article about mural in Gardens Mall, West Palm Beach, FL
2007 Article from "The Hindu" about Vijayawada, India mural project