The Ziz Wins National Award

Goodyear’s “The Ziz,” located on the ballpark plaza, was named one of the top public art projects in the country at the Americans for the Arts annual convention in Seattle on June 20.  The Year in Review award recognizes projects based on their creativity, craftsmanship and ability to create a sense of place.

Two internationally known artists, Janet Echelman and Mildred Howard, reviewed 304 public art projects and selected 40 that represent the most compelling work for the year from across the country. Artists’ names were not listed with the project.

Since 2001, the Public Art Network’s Year in Review award annually has recognized outstanding public art projects through an open submission and selection process.

“The Ziz,” by Philadelphia artist Donald Lipski, stands 60 feet 6 inches, the distance from the pitcher’s mound to home plate. Named for a mythological bird that rules over and protects smaller birds, the fiberglass work resembles a stretched baseball with red stitches.

The Public Art Network’s Year in Review program is the only national award that specifically recognizes public art projects. The field is advanced by the commitment of artists to produce exceptional work, public art programs and administrators who facilitate public processes, and the two independent curators.

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