Sneak Peak: The DNC Donkeys are Nearly Done

Sneak Peak: The DNC Donkeys are Nearly Done

Oh I so wanted to go to this today, but was too busy. Thanks to the DNC2016 & photographer Annie Heckenberger for sending me the pixs and Press Release:

The Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee for the Democratic National Convention today showcased the painting of some of the 57 fiberglass donkeys that will be deployed as part of the Host Committee’s Donkeys Around Town program. The painting process will be completed within the next week. The donkeys will be installed at their staging locations, a full list of which will be released in the next few days, by July 1st. They will be featured at 48 different, publicly accessible locations throughout Philadelphia and will be on display through September 5th.

“We are excited to offer a sneak peak of our Donkeys Around Town as they receive their finishing touches from the local artists who are painting them,” said former Pennsylvania Governor and Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee Chair Ed Rendell. “This project is a fun way to engage the delegates coming to Philadelphia and will enable them to connect with Philadelphians and the local arts community. Keep an eye out for them beginning July 1^st!”

Jeleata Nicole grew up in a family of artists about an hour northwest of Philadelphia, in Eagleville. She was drawn into the city soon after graduation, and has been inspired to participate in Donkeys Around Town by the opportunity to work with other talented local artists. Jaleata is painting the South Carolina and West Virginia donkeys.

Full List of Artists Participating:

(Hyperlinked names connect to the artists’ online portfolios.)

• Brian Cesario – Tennessee, Kentucky
• Jeleata Nicole – South Carolina, West Virginia
• Ellen Tiberino – Puerto Rico, Minor Outlying Islands
• Jonathan Mandell – Connecticut, Delaware
• Katie Haire – New York, Montana
• Edgar Jerins – Nebraska, Kansas
• Karina Puente – California, Arkansas
• Serena Saunders – New Mexico, Arizona
• Barbara Sosson – Iowa, Texas

• Andrew Joseph Grasso – Virgin Islands, American Samoa
  
• Joy Waldinger – Washington, North Dakota
  
• Nora Einbender-Luks – Oregon, Wyoming
  
• Morgan Thomas Shankweiler – Maine, Maryland
  
• Keith Greiman – Alabama, Louisiana
  
• Raphael Tiberino – Idaho, South Dakota

Taylor Hickman is a graduate of Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) and is currently pursuing a psychology credential to become an art therapist at University of Pennsylvania. She works in paper craft and printmaking as well as painting. Taylor was inspired to participate in Donkeys Around Town to make art more accessible to underserved communities of potential artists. Taylor is painting the Virginia and Utah donkeys.

Karina Puente – California, Arkansas

• Brad Carney – Michigan, Minnesota
  
• Taylor Hickman – Virginia, Utah
  
• Sarah Ryan – Alaska, North Carolina
  
• Colleen McCubbin Stepanic – Nevada, Colorado
  
• Lynnette Shelley – Oklahoma, Missouri
  
• Paul Carpenter – Wisconsin, Georgia
  
• Michelle Oosterbaan – Indiana, Illinois
  
• Collin Scott – Mississippi, Ohio
  
• Kathryn Pannepacker – Rhode Island, Northern Mariana Islands
  
• Eleanor Grosch – Florida, Hawaii
  
• Sam Spetner – Massachusetts, Vermont
  
• Hawk Krall – New Hampshire, New Jersey
  
• Juan Dimida – District of Columbia, Guam
  

Hawk Krall – New Hampshire, New Jersey

“Mural Arts is proud to provide a valuable bridge to the local artistic community, and the Donkeys Around Town project has been a fantastic opportunity all around,” said Jane Golden, executive director and founder of the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. “The project will showcase the creative gifts of so many talented artists during the DNC, and we look forward to seeing their playful works of public art throughout the city this summer.”

Edgar Jerins – Nebraska, Kansas