Studio Arena Displays Milton Rogovin Photography from the Burchfield-Penney Collection
Studio Arena Theatre and the Burchfield-Penney Art Center at Buffalo State College announce an exhibition of works from the Burchfield-Penney's Milton Rogovin Collection as part of the production of Pouring the Sun at Studio Arena Theatre which runs February 15 March 13, 2004. Pouring the Sun tells the story of the struggles of a Polish immigrant steel-working family. Photographs from Rogovin's "Working People" series include images of steel workers, both at work and at home, from companies that have since closed. This display is free and open to the public for one hour prior to all performances. Exhibit only admission tickets can be picked up at the box office.
"The significance of the working class family in our society is the bond that brings these two works of art together," stated Gavin Cameron-Webb Artistic Director of Studio Arena Theatre. "Mr. Rogovin's photos provide visual images for the story that is being told on our stage. The theatre is honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Burchfield-Penney Art Center on such an important project for the Buffalo community."
"The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is pleased to support Studio Arena’s production of Pouring the Sun with an exhibition of works by internationally recognized artist Milton Rogovin at the theatre," said Ted Pietrzak, Director of the Burchfield-Penney Art Center. "The Burchfield-Penney's collections serve as a rich resource for our community, and we are delighted to share Rogovin's poignant photographs that illustrate so strikingly the universal plight of workers and complement O'Callahan's play about Polish immigrants working in the steel industry."
Pouring the Sun tells the story of Ludvika Moskal Waldony who came alone to this country in 1907 at the age of eighteen. The story explores the struggles of her working class family in a steel city that has no union. Pouring the Sun is the story of the building of America. Jay O'Callahan single-handedly transforms the stage into a dynamic and sensitive world filled with compelling characters.
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center at Buffalo State College became a major repository for Mr. Rogovin's work in the city where he lives, thanks to a generous gift of 225 photographs donated by Robert M. and Mary Ann Budin in 2001. In his series, "Working People", Rogovin took a unique approach to portraiture by showing two sides of life: men and women working at their jobs and relaxing at home. They are photographed in the area's steel mills, foundries and industrial plants with such recognizable names as Atlas, Bethlehem and Republic Steel; Amherst Foundry, Shenango Ingot Molds, Hanna Furnace, and Westinghouse. A poem by Bertolt Brecht, "A Worker Reads History," inspired the series. After having created diptychs, Rogovin visited some of the workers again during the 1980s to create updated images that record changes in their lives as plants were closing due to economic or technological changes in the world.
About Studio Arena
Studio Arena Theatre is now celebrating its 39th season with its 296th production. Upcoming performances in the 2003-2004 Studio Arena season are POURING THE SUN (February 15- March 13), WHILE WE WERE BOWLING (May 20 April 18) and STONES IN HIS POCKETS (April 25 May 23). For tickets, show times, and other information, call the Studio Arena ticket office at 716-856-5650 or 1-800-77STAGE, or log on to www.studioarena.org.
About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, call 716-878-6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org.
Pouring the Sun is sponsored, in part, by The Women of Studio Arena Theatre and WBFO-FM 88.7.
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and County of Erie. Additional operating support is provided by the Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Trust, the Mary A. H. Rumsey Foundation and the Burchfield-Penney's members.
"The significance of the working class family in our society is the bond that brings these two works of art together," stated Gavin Cameron-Webb Artistic Director of Studio Arena Theatre. "Mr. Rogovin's photos provide visual images for the story that is being told on our stage. The theatre is honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Burchfield-Penney Art Center on such an important project for the Buffalo community."
"The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is pleased to support Studio Arena’s production of Pouring the Sun with an exhibition of works by internationally recognized artist Milton Rogovin at the theatre," said Ted Pietrzak, Director of the Burchfield-Penney Art Center. "The Burchfield-Penney's collections serve as a rich resource for our community, and we are delighted to share Rogovin's poignant photographs that illustrate so strikingly the universal plight of workers and complement O'Callahan's play about Polish immigrants working in the steel industry."
Pouring the Sun tells the story of Ludvika Moskal Waldony who came alone to this country in 1907 at the age of eighteen. The story explores the struggles of her working class family in a steel city that has no union. Pouring the Sun is the story of the building of America. Jay O'Callahan single-handedly transforms the stage into a dynamic and sensitive world filled with compelling characters.
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center at Buffalo State College became a major repository for Mr. Rogovin's work in the city where he lives, thanks to a generous gift of 225 photographs donated by Robert M. and Mary Ann Budin in 2001. In his series, "Working People", Rogovin took a unique approach to portraiture by showing two sides of life: men and women working at their jobs and relaxing at home. They are photographed in the area's steel mills, foundries and industrial plants with such recognizable names as Atlas, Bethlehem and Republic Steel; Amherst Foundry, Shenango Ingot Molds, Hanna Furnace, and Westinghouse. A poem by Bertolt Brecht, "A Worker Reads History," inspired the series. After having created diptychs, Rogovin visited some of the workers again during the 1980s to create updated images that record changes in their lives as plants were closing due to economic or technological changes in the world.
About Studio Arena
Studio Arena Theatre is now celebrating its 39th season with its 296th production. Upcoming performances in the 2003-2004 Studio Arena season are POURING THE SUN (February 15- March 13), WHILE WE WERE BOWLING (May 20 April 18) and STONES IN HIS POCKETS (April 25 May 23). For tickets, show times, and other information, call the Studio Arena ticket office at 716-856-5650 or 1-800-77STAGE, or log on to www.studioarena.org.
About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, call 716-878-6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org.
Pouring the Sun is sponsored, in part, by The Women of Studio Arena Theatre and WBFO-FM 88.7.
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and County of Erie. Additional operating support is provided by the Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Trust, the Mary A. H. Rumsey Foundation and the Burchfield-Penney's members.
Media Contact:
Kathleen Heyworth, Public Relations, Burchfield-Penney Art Center | 7168784529 | heyworkm@buffalostate.edu