Miami, Florida, Oct. 15, 2020 – Local Sculptor and Miami-Dade County Firefighter Gary Traczyk has been chosen to design and create the prize sculptures for the 2020 winners of the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education awarded by the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education in Philadelphia – one of the most coveted education awards.
Traczyk, whose stainless steel sculptures have been exhibited at Art Miami, SCOPE Miami, Art Basel Miami Arts Week, Art Palm Beach, Art Hamptons, and SOFA Chicago among other prominent shows, was selected after a nationwide search because of his striking work and unique ability to craft moving – or kinetic – art.
“We were drawn to Gary’s extraordinary work, which combines timeless – and kinetic – visual elements,” said Michael Golden, Executive Director of Catalyst @ Penn GSE. “His artistry evokes inspiration spiraling outward to transform the world of many, reflecting the shared mission of the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education and the McGraw Family Foundation.”
The artist and public servant has long been affiliated with educational institutions, including Miami’s National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts (now YoungArts), to which he donated sculptures for auction ten years in a row; and the Visiting Artist Program developed by the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, through which he has served as a volunteer educator.
“To me, education opens doors to freedom. It’s everything,” Traczyk said. “When they reached out to me, I was overwhelmed with happiness. It’s a total honor to be involved.”
The South Florida artist cuts, grinds, sands, polishes and bends stainless steel bars into fluid geometric forms that dance with movement at the touch of a hand. The McGraw prize sculptures will be mounted on granite and fitted with personalized plaques detailing winners’ names and fields. Traczyk has been enlisted to create prize sculptures for award recipients annually through 2022.
The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize recognizes outstanding achievements in education in three categories. Past recipients include Alberto M Carvalho, current superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (2016) and Chris Anderson, head of the non-profit organization TED (2017).
In education’s most challenging year ever, this year’s three prize winners will each accept one of Traczyk’s one-of-a-kind kinetic steel sculptures and a $50,000 award at a virtual ceremony at 4 p.m. EST on October 21. Those interested in attending virtually can register here.
About Artist Gary Traczyk:
Gary Traczyk is a South Florida kinetic stainless steel sculptor whose work has been commissioned and exhibited by galleries, individuals and institutions across the United States and internationally. When he is not melting steel with white hot torches, he can be found instead fighting fires in his role as an active fireman and paramedic for Miami-Dade County.
The sculptor has collaborated with notable artists including Romero Britto, and his work has been featured in Celebrated Living Magazine American Airlines; Art Daily News International; Miami Herald; NBC Television; Southwest Art Magazine; Palm Beach Florida Weekly; Malibu Times, ArtBlend Magazine, Castle Rock Entertainment and HGTV.
About the Award:
The McGraw Prize in Education, established in 1988, celebrates innovation in education by recognizing outstanding individuals and their efforts to elevate human potential in education.
Honorees are chosen by a distinguished panel of judges made up of thoughtful and influential members in the international educational community.