Fairfax County, VA – the Arts Council of Fairfax County announces the 2014 Strauss Artist Grants recipients. Now in its seventh year, the grants program recognizes the work and contributions to the quality of life in Fairfax County of professional artists. The three recipients are musician and composer Gina Biver and sculptors Foon Sham and Yuriko Yamaguchi.
“The Strauss Artist Grants program recognizes outstanding contemporary artists in Fairfax County and helps support their future contributions to the arts and our communities,” says Linda S. Sullivan, president & CEO, of the Arts Council of Fairfax County.
Gina Biver is a music composer, director of the concept-based new music/new media ensemble titled Fuse Ensemble, and has earned both national and international recognition for her scored music in both television and film. In addition to her own arts endeavors, Mrs. Biver teaches audio technology classes at American University in Washington, DC. According to Mrs. Biver: “With my music I look to make connections between the mind, body and spirit, and to enliven them both in the process. I am very thankful to the Arts Council for supporting this lifelong quest of creating music – how wonderful it is to be backed by one’s own community.”
Chinese-American artist Foon Sham has worked for over thirty years to explore the nuances of material and form through his sculptures. Mr. Sham, currently a professor of art at the University of Maryland, College Park, has exhibited his work both nationally and internationally and has numerous public art commissions worldwide, including the permanent public art installation titled The Glory of the Chinese Descendants located at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station in Washington, DC. “The Strauss Artist Grant allows me to continue my lifelong exploration of new materials to be included in my future art works,” said Mr. Sham.
Japanese-born artist Yuriko Yamaguchi, known for her wall sculptures and cloud installations involving materials such as paper, wood, flax and wire, explores the interconnectedness of humans and nature through her artwork. In Ms. Yamaguchi’s own words: “I am interested in creating works that remind people that we are all connected in many overlapping webs that affect the human condition: family origin, economic stressors, religious beliefs, nature, time, place, and technology.” Ms. Yamaguchi, currently a professorial lecturer in sculpture at George Washington University, has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally. Her art work is included in major museum collections both in the U.S and abroad including public art commissions.
The Strauss Artist Grants, named for Bill Strauss (1947-2007), gifted writer, cofounder of the Capitol Steps and the Cappies, are an investment in the sustained growth and development of the arts in Fairfax County as well as a way to honor artists’ commitment to an artistic discipline and their contributions to Fairfax County. For more information on the Arts Council’s grant programs visit ArtsFairfax.org. All Strauss Artist Grants recipients can be seen here.