Local Artists Tapped to Create Sculpture for Charity Race

Recently, the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut, in partnership with WHEELPassion, selected two artists to visualize a brand and design for the inaugural Danbury Audi Race4Scholars Criterium.

The bike race will be held this summer in downtown Danbury on Sunday, Aug. 17. The Race will help establish college scholarship funds for high school graduates who intend to major in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines, as well as medical and other relevant fields.

"The arts and recreation compliment one another and the up coming race was a great opportunity to incorporate creative talent from the area," notes Lisa Scails, Executive Director of the Cultural Alliance.

Highly creative and multi-talented Danbury art director/designer Paul Minigiello created the Race's logo with his contagious passion for excellence, a talent for resourceful business solutions and a dedication far beyond conventional expectations. He also paints surreal pet portraits and his work is seen in many private collections.

Recognized for his celebrated "Harvest Gate," commissioned for Hartford's Main Street Market, New Fairfield sculptor David Boyajian interpreted Minigiello's logo in 3D for an award, which will be unveiled at the winners' circle ceremonies on Aug. 17.

Home to Boyajian's workshop, The Sculpture Barn, is located on 4 acres of field where Boyajian teaches master classes, maintains a 3,000 square-foot sculpture gallery, and exhibits outdoor, monumental works. The Barn has become a popular cultural attraction in the Greater Danbury region.
 
The award will be presented by WHEELpassion to Josh Weeks, Dealer and Principal for the Race's title sponsor Danbury Audi, as a gesture of appreciation for Danbury Audi’s long-term commitment to promoting cycling in the region and for helping to make the Race4Scholars Criterium a reality.

“At a glance, the identity logo Paul Minigiello created for WHEELpassion completely captures the essence of the Race4Scholars Criterium,” Duane E. Perkins, promoter for the Danbury Audi Race4Scholars Criterium, said. “The image is sleek and portrays a look of speed and elegance. These are traits synonymous and complementary of our title sponsor, Danbury Audi."

“I witnessed the flow of creative energy of David Boyajian’s mind transform into a full-scale drawing on an old unfinished steel table in his studio. It was remarkable,” he added. “The piece, thanks to these two artistic talents, will be certain to represent our title sponsor in a powerful, aesthetic way."

WHEELpassion, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit youth scholarship organization, whose purpose is to encourage adolescents from underrepresented groups to live healthier and fuller lives through a series of sustainable student-led health initiatives, educational programs, cycling, and physical exercise. For more information about WHEELpassion and the Danbury Audi Race4Scholars Criterium, visit wheelpassion.org.

Based off a press release from the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut.