The 2017 REMET “Shaping the Future” Award Winner Selected.

REMET^® PIC, Inc in conjunction with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) came together, at the school, on November 21, 2016 to conduct the REMET “Shaping the Future” Award panel review and winner selection.

The recipient of the 2017 award is Elijah Merritt, a BFA candidate at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  Eli’s submission, titled “Bull”, was selected, after review, by a panel of art and industry professionals.

Eli’s winning entry will be a 10’ x 4.5’ x 5’ piece, made up of Bronze, Iron, and Aluminum castings along with found objects and recycled materials. The completed sculpture will be installed at Turn Park Sculpture Park in W. Stockbridge, MA.

“Bull” is a reflection of the artist’s experience, shared with his brother, at the annual Running of the Bulls’ ritual in Spain. The piece is further redefined as a self-portrait into which Eli will incorporate found and recycled objects from his current life in Massachusetts and Chicago.

The winning proposal was selected from an outstanding group of student submissions, as the judges felt that it best met their expectations in each of the award criteria: professionalism, realistic timeline, budget and equally importantly, its unique artistic impression. The completed sculpture is expected to be unveiled at a ceremony in the fall of 2017.

The panel of judges charged with making the difficult decision in this year’s competition included Mary Seyfarth (Instructor & Artisan), Karly Spell (Art Casting of Illinois), Beth Sahagian (Vanguard Sculpture Services), Erik Blome (Figurative Art Studio, LLC), Audry Cramblit (Sculptor), John P. Paraszczak (REMET) and Bob Pawlak (REMET)

REMET would like to extend their thanks to the panel members for their continued commitment to and participation in this special event.  In addition, REMET would like to thank Andrew Hunter, Dan Matheson, Hannah Hirsekorn, and the staff of the School of the Art Institute for being gracious hosts and key mentors to the students who take part in the  Shaping the Future Award competition annually.

The REMET “Shaping the Future Award” was established to provide an aspiring SAIC student artist with the funds and support necessary to complete a cast metal work of art, using the precision investment casting process. REMET has proudly presented this award, in conjunction with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, since 1997. Many of the previous award recipients have gone on to careers in the art world. In addition to being successful artists, past winners are found in other segments of the industry, including education and art foundry operations. REMET is very pleased to have been able to maintain contact with many of the previous Shaping the Future Award recipients. Click on the link for the Shaping the Future Hall of Fame to see past winners work.  https://www.remet.com/us/casestudies/remet-shaping-the-future-award-hall-of-fame/