Giving Tree Cafe shows sign of hope with life size sculpture

Phoenix’s Giving Tree Cafe known for serving clean eating vegan, organic & gluten free food is also known as a community spot in the neighborhood. The cafe at 7th St. near Monte Vista recently installed a life size sculpture of a iconic 1932 photograph by Charles Ebbets. Owner David Warr wanted to find a permanent home for the structure and the message it conveys.

“’Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ stands as a testament to our resourcefulness and resilience. Our community has been through a challenging couple of years. Yet, we pulled ourselves up from our bootstraps, and we’ve grown stronger,” said Warr.

Getting it to the Giving Tree Cafe

The sculpture was hidden in storage and Warr found out about it from customer David Kirschenbaum who produced the sculpture with sculptor Blake Emory. The 24 foot long and 20 foot high sculpture took 3 days to install after being delivered to the cafe. It took Emory & Kirschenbaum over 2 years to make by hand using clay, fiberglass resin, steel, PVC, wood, textiles, rubber & chrome.

“Many haven’t been able to enjoy the arts scene for quite some time. I wanted to bring this sculpture back to life as a sign of strength, hope and togetherness,” said Warr.

The photograph and sculpture show 11 steelworkers eating lunch on a girder high above the streets of NYC. The 69 story building being built is the RCA building, now part of Rockefeller Center and the erecting of the building was a sign of hope and confidence in the future during The Great Depression.  Each of the 11 replicas of the workers is life size and each weighs about 100 lbs. According to Warr,

“We’re not done yet. Watch the space over the next couple of weeks.” Artist Emory returns to make an exciting addition to the structure.

The Giving Tree Cafe is at 2024 N. 7th St. Phoenix 85004. For more information visit their website.

 

 

1st Annual Hops and Vines Art Festival for charity in Ahwuhtukee

Hops_and_Vines_This Saturday February 20th from 12 noon- 9 p.m. will be the inaugural Hops and Vines Art Festival with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the American Foundation for Cardiomyopathy (FFC). Taking place at Desert Foothills park in Ahwuhtukee festival goers will get to see art, taste wine, beer & food and hear live music & performance art which will give you sensory overload as heart month is celebrated.

Artists demonstrating painting, glass blowing, sculpting and more will be sharing their expertise along with local chefs doing cooking demonstrations & flavor pairings.

“In Ahwatukee there’s such a strong sense of tradition with community events,” Anthony Miller, founder and president of American FFC said. “That’s why I decided to host this inaugural event here. I want to create an environment that people of all ages can enjoy while bringing awareness to cardiomyopathy and those affected by it.”

American FFC is a charitable organization that creates awareness of and supports those affected by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition that affects 1 in 500 student athletes every year, often without any sign or warning.

Hops and Vines Art Festival will take place at Desert Foothills Park – 1010 South Marketplace Way, Phoenix, Arizona 85048. General admission is $10 and children 12 and under are admitted for free. VIP admission is also available for patrons 21 and over for $65, which includes six drink tickets, catered food, private seats and private restrooms. For more information www.hopsvinesartfest.com.