By Jackie Kaufman
The Chess Board Unveiled
September 10-30
Morean Arts Center
Details here
NEA/Pinellas Recovers Grant Update
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The chess pieces for “The Chess Club Project” are made and the board is complete.
The pieces that members of the St. Petersburg Chess Club made at their two-day art workshop in June are finished. The molds of the pieces they created have been used and cast in pewter.
They turned out awesome.
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Each member used their own creativity to create this truly unique chess set. They were ages 7-63 and they did a great job.
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The board itself was designed and created by St. Petersburg artist Alex Kaufman. The board is made out of aluminum and glass. He created a design that was beautiful, but did not overwhelm the pieces.
Each square was individually cut out on a waterjet, then the whole board was assembled. The board is a massive 23 x 23 inch size. We would also like to give a shout and big thank you to MGA Sculpture Studios.
for the St Pete Chess Club Project
The full chess board will be making its debut at The Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave. on September 10 and be on display until September 30. It is the featured piece of art at their show Checkered.
From there it will be shown on Second Saturday ArtWalk on October 8 at St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District.
At each location we will be taking surveys to see what public reaction is to this project. We want to see if there is an interest in people joining the St. Petersburg Chess Club or maybe taking lessons there as beginners.
We want the public to be aware of what a great resource we have here in St. Petersburg.
This has been a wonderful project and I would like to thank Creative Pinellas, The National Endowment of the Arts and the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners for funding and supporting this work.
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creativepinellas.org/artist/jackie-kaufman
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Jackie Kaufman is a recipient of the Pinellas Recovers Grant,
provided by Creative Pinellas through a grant from the
National Endowment of the Arts American Rescue Plan.
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