“Looking Up” By Deborah Boschert Selected As 2023 Winner of Catholic Foundation’s Art On The Plaza Competition
In a culture where thousands walk along city sidewalks looking down at their cell phone, artist Deborah Boschert (Baa-shirt) invites people in downtown Dallas to look up.
Winner of the Foundation’s 2023 Art On The Plaza competition, the creator of “Looking Up” invites those strolling through the Dallas Arts District to see the symbols of hope in her masterpiece.
Known as an art quilt collage, “Looking Up” represents the contest theme of Hope in many ways and will bring happiness and optimism to those who see it in person, says Boschert. Her artwork was dedicated today during a ceremony at The Catholic Foundation Plaza.
“The sun is shining. The trees are full of lush leaves. A flock of birds soars to their next destination,” says Boschert. “The clouds drift through the blue sky. It’s a visual reminder to look up and to embrace the possibilities surrounding us.”
As the 18th annual contest winner, Boschert received $5,000 and her artwork will be displayed for one year on the Foundation’s 28-by-9 foot public art wall located between The National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
“As a five-time entrant in the Art On The Plaza contest, Deborah represents perseverance and dedication,” said J. Matthew Kramer, President and CEO of The Catholic Foundation. “Her expression of hope and joy in ‘Looking Up’ enhances the view for visitors of all ages.”
The artist, author and teacher likes to create art pieces that have a strong visual look from across a room and can be open to interpretation.
“It’s not an accident that the title is ‘Looking Up’ and not ‘Look Up,” says Boschert. “It’s not a command or a suggestion. It’s an action and collective experience and a movement of looking up that presents an ongoing constant of being aware of everything around you.”
A native of Minnesota who grew up in Kansas and Nebraska, Boschert has been married to her husband, Jeffrey, a pilot, for 31 years. The Lewisville couple have a daughter and a son.
This year’s contest honorable mention winners are Porschea Kendall who painted “Hope – Noah’s Ark,” a painting of four animals that represent all walks of life. “Reflective Light,” an image of a boat on a still pond created to give people a place to relax in the middle of downtown Dallas, was created by Jerrod Steltzlen. Both artists received $500 for their entries.
The Catholic Foundation Plaza was dedicated in 2006 as a gift to the Dallas community from The Catholic Foundation to commemorate its 50th anniversary.
