Point of Contact and David MacDonald, a professor in Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), will be honored Thursday, June 8, by the Cultural Resources Council of Syracuse at the third annual Horizon Awards. The awards are given annually to organizations and individuals who have contributed to the local arts and cultural community and celebrate dynamic and far-reaching cultural vision. They will be presented at 5:30 p.m. at OHM Lounge, 314 Franklin St. in Armory Square. Admission is $45 per person.
Punto de Contacto/Point of Contact Inc. is an interdisciplinary, independent, 501c3 nonprofit organization housed on the SU campus and supported by grants from The College of Arts and Sciences; the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics; VPA; and the Division of International Programs Abroad (DIPA).
Founded in 1975, Point of Contact provides a cross-disciplinary space for world-renowned and emerging artists and scholars of the verbal and visual arts and retains strong ties to Latin American arts and literature. The organization's publications include the Point of Contact book series on literature and the arts, the "Corresponding Voices" poetry series, and "Dossier," which documents the annual Syracuse International Film and Video Festival (SIFVF). Point of Contact has produced the SIFVF since its inception in 2004. In November 2005, Point of Contact became a component in the development of the Connective Corridor by opening a space for the visual arts, Point of Contact Gallery, on East Genesee Street. The gallery hosts exhibitions and houses Point of Contact?s permanent art collection.
MacDonald, a local ceramics artist, is professor of ceramics in VPA's School of Art and Design. He came to the University in 1971 and holds a master of fine arts degree from the University of Michigan. In addition to teaching and crafting ceramic masterpieces for exhibition in art galleries throughout the country, MacDonald is actively involved in the Syracuse community. He currently has an exhibition of contemporary ceramic art on display in the Joan Lukas Rothenberg Gallery at Syracuse?s multifunction art house The Redhouse, 201 S. Warren St., through June 30.
This year's awards ceremony is a cocktail and tapas reception with award presentations, live music by the CNY Latin Jazz Trio, and a silent auction featuring original artwork, tickets to cultural events and other items. Each year, the Cultural Resources Council commissions a local artist to create the Horizon Award. Marcia Ferber, who works with fused enamels, art glass and gemstone materials, designed this year's award.
The other 2006 Horizon Award recipients include Mary Cotter from Time Warner Cable, New York State Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli, the Syracuse Children's Chorus, Dorothy Riester from Stone Quarry Hill Art Park, and the late Douglas C. Johnston from the CNY Jazz Arts Foundation.
