Published: October 09, 2009 12:12 am      

A 'display' of talent

Commerce artist David L. Zvanut will be announced this weekend as the winner of the 4th Annual Catholic Foundation Plaza Artists Competition in Dallas.

His work, “Music on Parade” will be unveiled during a public dedication ceremony in the Dallas Arts District on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 11, at 3. The ceremony is in conjunction with the week-long grand opening celebration of Dallas' new AT&T Performing Arts Center.

“They will take my original 10 inch by 28 inch entry and blow it up to 10 feet by 28 feet, paste it on their wall, and leave it there for a year,” Zvanut said.

The winning art will be displayed on the wall for approximately one year at the Catholic Foundation Plaza, which is free and open to the public and located on the grounds of the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the Dallas Arts District, directly across from the front entrance of the Morton H. Meyerson Concert Hall.

“'Music on Parade' is the latest in a long series of work in which I attempt to convey some of the passion evoked by a serious musical work using purely visual means,” Zvanut said. “I cannot imagine a more fitting location for this piece than this beautiful little oasis in the heart of the Dallas Arts District, behind a neo-gothic cathedral, directly across from the main entrance to the Meyerson Symphony Hall, and so close to many other world class performance spaces. It is my hope that viewers will get an emotional lift from experiencing the work in this setting. If it brings a smile to your face and provides a few moments of relief from your troubles, then it has succeeded.”

Earlier this year, The Catholic Foundation invited professional artists living in the North Texas area to submit proposal designs for consideration. A panel of highly respected members of the local arts community then chose the winning piece. Zvanut received a $2,500 stipend.

“David's piece provides The Catholic Foundation Plaza with a truly artistic, vibrant and timely backdrop - exemplifying the various mediums of art, entertainment and talent that can now be found in the Dallas Arts District,” said Edwin M. Schaffler, President and CEO of The Catholic Foundation. “As we celebrate the growth and success of the Dallas arts community, we are honored to showcase one of our local artists so that all can enjoy his work.”

Zvanut, a graduate of East Texas State University, and his wife, Bettina, live in Commerce. His studio, which he built using lumber and hardware salvaged from another old house, is located on his property 200 feet from his home. In 2006, Zvanut worked with the Texas A&M University-Commerce ceramics department to build a wood fired ceramic kiln near his studio for the ceramic students who operate it about four times a year.