Steven Weitzman (sculptor)
Steven Weitzman[1] is an American artist based in Maryland who is known for his large sculptures and outdoor design work. He has created many large-scale wood[2][3] and bronze sculptures,[4] has worked in stone[5] and terrazzo, designed urban parks and fountains and he has created artistic highway and bridge designs, some as large as three miles long.[6] In addition to these traditional mediums, Steven invented a process that allows him to 'paint' in concrete using a material called FOTERA,[7] that allows him to create murals that can be incorporated in transportation projects.[8]
Steven Weitzman began as a graphic artist and painter. In 1998 he founded Creative Design Resolutions, Inc.[9] to address the aesthetic needs of highway infrastructure as his work expanded to projects of larger scale. Shortly after, he established Creative Form Liners, Inc.[10] as the leading fabricator of custom form liners and FOTERA structural concrete and resinous terrazzo. In 2016 Steven Weitzman was tasked with the conceptual Aesthetic Master Plan of Del City, Midwest City, and Eastern Oklahoma City , Oklahoma for the I-35 to Chocktaw Road Interchange, as well as the Aesthetic Master Plan for I-35/I-240 interchange EB to SB I-35. Together these projects will include 46 retaining walls and ramps ranging from 200 to 4000 foot stretches. 25 new bridges will be built along with 3 bridges to be renovated, all designed in collaboration with the community. Steven Weitzman has received extensive coverage in regional and nation press through over 90 interviews, articles, reviews and awards. One bridge in particular designed in Arizona called “La Cholla” has received 5 different awards since its construction in 2014.[11]
On June 19, 2013, Weitzman's sculpture of Frederick Douglass, a leader of the abolitionist movement,[12] was dedicated for permanent display as a contribution from the District of Columbia to the U.S. Capitol building.[13][14] It is displayed in Emancipation Hall.[15]
Another example of his artwork is a giant map on display in the central atrium of the History Colorado Center museum.[16] Where he created 234 separate terrazzo paintings that were laid side-by-side to create a 2,183 sq. ft. topographical map[17] as seen from approximately four hundred miles in space.
A feature article was published in the spring 2015 issue of Aspire magazine about Creative Design Resolutions.Inc[18] a company owned and managed by Steven Weitzman , this article takes an in-depth look at bridge design and the implementation of bridge and highway aesthetics in the master planning stages. It also tells about the importance of community involvement and their roll as one of the stake holders in these highway projects also their influence in the design process.[19]
Steven Weitzman incorporates art and aesthetics in Wichita Kansas to turn miles of highway eye sore into one of the nation’s best and most frequently cited examples of the incorporation of public art into a Highway corridor.[20]
At the ceremony for the unveiling of the Fredrick Douglass statue created by Steven Weitzman, Vice President Joe Biden took the opportunity to pay tribute to 19th-century abolitionist and to renew the call for equal voting rights for people who live in the nation's capital.[21]
In 2009, Steven Weitzman and CDR were tasked by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation with the design and retrofitting of multiple bridges in the Norman, Oklahoma area. " Over the past year, CDR has collaborated with Norman community members to develop themes that represent Norman's diverse history and culture."[22]
Awards and Recognition:
La Cholla Bridge Awards:
- 2015, Timothy M. Ahrens Partnering Award, Pima Association of Governments and the Regional Transportation Authority
- 2015, Partnered Project of the Year (Ruby) – Transportation Projects Under $25M, International Partnering Institute
- 2015, 2015 Project of the Year for Transportation greater than $20M, Southern Arizona American Public Works Association
- 2014, Arizona Transportation Partnering Excellence Award
- 2014, Build Arizona Award, in the Public New Highway Construction, project over $10M
Additional Awards:
- 2016, Chosen as a finalist for the heroic statue of Mayor Marion Barry
- 2016, Build USA Construction Excellence Award
- 2012, National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association "Art Special Award" for 2012
- 2010, Oklahoma City Broadway Extension Reconstruction Project
- 2008, The 18th Annual Pharaoh Award, The State of Oklahoma - Best single bridge constructed in the State of Oklahoma, showing exceptional quality and workmanship for Heritage Bridge
- 2006, The 27th Annual AdWheel Awards, American Public Transportation Association - Grand Prize-Print category for “Miles of Practical Solutions” CDR Promotional Box
- 2006, PCI Design Awards, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute - Custom Design Award for Maryland 216
- 2006, American Council of Engineering Companies - Public Improvement Award for City of Wichita, Kellogg/Oliver US 54 (“Time Passages”)
- 2005, Prince George’s Beautification Committee - Public Art in Public Space Special Award for Largo Metro Access Improvements
- 2001, NAIOP Awards, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties - Best High-rise Office Development in Maryland for Chase Towers
- 2000, House of Representatives 124th General Assembly of Ohio - Special Recognition for Elijah Pierce
- 2000, American Concrete Institute - Best Project over $3,000,000 for Kellogg/Oliver US 54 (“Time Passages”)
- 2000, American Public Works Association, Kansas Chapter - Project of the Year, Transportation Projects over $10,000,000 for Kellogg/Oliver US 54 (“Time Passages”)
References
- ^ http://www.weitzmanstudios.com/
- ^ Judy Colbert (2007). Maryland and Delaware. Globe Pequot Press. pp. 154–. ISBN 978-0-7627-4418-3.
- ^ Arbor Age. Arbor Age. 1986.
- ^ "Steven Weitzman – artist as entrepreneur". cassone-art.com.
- ^ Lawrence J. King (25 September 2010). What the Hell Were You Thinking?. Xlibris Corporation. pp. 98–. ISBN 978-1-4535-6069-3.
- ^ Government news letter "Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs
- ^ http://creativeformliners.com/fotera-concrete
- ^ Staehle, Lauren. "Top 10 List of the Most Interesting People – Steven Weitzman: A lifetime of celebrating Washington, D.C. on canvas". www.dcspotlight.com. The DC Spotlight Newspaper. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
- ^ http://www.creativedesignresolutions.com/
- ^ http://creativeformliners.com/
- ^ https://www.webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=202341
- ^ Ana Lucia Araujo (7 August 2014). Shadows of the Slave Past: Memory, Heritage, and Slavery. Routledge. pp. 126–. ISBN 978-1-135-01197-0.
- ^ "Sculptor's Bronze of Douglass Finds a Permanent Home". washingtoninformer.com.
- ^ "Frederick Douglass | Architect of the Capitol | United States Capitol". aoc.gov.
- ^ Dick, Jason (22 May 2013). "Frederick Douglass Statue Set for Capitol Unveiling". ROLL CALL. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- ^ [1]"History Colorado Center A State Looks at Itself in a New Mirror History Colorado Center Opened in Denver". New York Times By EDWARD ROTHSTEIN April 27, 2012
- ^ [2] history of colorado center
- ^ http://www.creativedesignresolutions.com/
- ^ "Aesthetic Master Planning more than pretty bridges"http://www.aspiremagazinebyengineers.com/i/485551-spring-2015
- ^ "Kellogg Avenue U.S. 54 Freeway Improvement project"http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MDOT_Appx_B2_Natl_Ex_Urban_Freeway_1-3_Kellogg_Ave_US-54_Fwy_160198_7.pdf
- ^ "Valerie Bonk Associated Press" http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_23490855/capitols-frederick-douglass-statue-be-unveiled
- ^ http://www.normantranscript.com/news/local_news/concrete-with-class/article_bec041b9-8675-5f72-ae83-46b90b2c2354.html