60 x 48 inches overall, a multiple of cut-and-pasted printed paper, collage, and mixed media on wood panel. All rights reserved ©2019 Wayne Brezinka.
WATCH CLIP: CBS Nashville, News Channel 5
Original portrait is available for purchase.
Collectors may inquire: info@waynebrezinka.com
PRESS
CBS Nashville, News Channel 5
Nashville Public Library
WQED Pittsburgh / Voice of the Arts
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
AP News
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt
CBS Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
News Channel 5 Nashville
Talk Of The Town Nashville
NBC 10 Philadelphia
Arlington News
NBC 4 Washington
CrystalCity.org
WDVM-TV Maryland
Arlington Magazine
A unique and interactive mixed media portrait experience of Mister Rogers incorporating both two and three-dimensional elements. Through the use of objects, artifacts and memorabilia assembled together, these items craft extraordinary story lines within this artistic profile of America’s most beloved neighbor, Mister Rogers.
SEE IT ON TOUR - 2019 – 2024
Nashville Main Public Library / Nashville, TN
615 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219
NOVEMBER 13, 2022 – APRIL 23, 2024
PBS - The Shops Level / Arlington, VA
2100 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202
FREE and Open to the Public
HOURS: Monday – Friday 7:00am - 6:00pm
MARCH 21 – MAY 15, 2019
The Omni Hotel / Nashville, TN
250 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
FREE and Open to the Public
HOURS: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
1 NIGHT ONLY!
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2019
The Fred Rogers Center / Latrobe, PA
Saint Vincent College, Monastery Rd, Latrobe, PA 15650
FREE and Open to the Public
JUNE – AUGUST, 2019
WQED PBS Affiliate / Pittsburgh, PA
WQED Multimedia 4802 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
FREE and Open to the Public
SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER, 2019
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA
616 N Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
FREE and Open to the Public
JANUARY – MAY, 2020
Crayola Experience, Easton, PA
30 Centre Square, Easton, PA 18042
Due to the Covid-19 crisis, Crayola has unfortunately canceled the Mr. Rogers exhibit for this summer, the last stop on the tour. However, WQED has agreed that they would welcome it back to their campus for another limited showing. Check back for details as they become available.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
The interactive component to the work (the mirror specifically) was intended to stir each individual who might encounter the Mister Rogers portrait to think about how we see one another and how we are seen by others - with no malice or fear. My hope is that the reflection will evoke and encourage an acceptance of ourselves and others just the way we are. I feel connected to Fred, his heart and his vision and I believe as humans we all want the same thing – and that is to be seen, to be heard and to be loved just as we are.
Special thanks to David Newell, Amy Hollingsworth, Tim Madigan and Kathy and Beth Usher for contributing their personal photos, artifacts and memorabilia for use within the portrait.
With sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Joanne Rogers, The Fred Rogers Company and The Fred Rogers Archives for this amazing opportunity.
Among the many items used to construct this work INCLUDE:
A handwritten note dated 1994 from Fred to longtime friend, Amy Hollingsworth
An original pair of glasses worn by Fred Rogers symbolizing how he saw others and a willingness to see in the vulnerable and full sense the world around him.
Two bow ties from Fred’s collection gifted from Joanne Rogers
A T.T.T. Tame Tiger Torganization membership pin dating back to the mid-1950s. Although it is not completely confirmed, it is believed that this pin was sent to children in the mid-1950s who inquired about the T.T.T. during the run of the Children's Corner, (From WQED -- First in community television) making them official members of the Torganization. DID YOU KNOW: Fred Rogers originally created the puppet characters of Daniel Striped Tiger, King Friday XIII, X the Owl, Lady Elaine Fairchilde, and Henrietta Pussycat for Children’s Corner and would later reuse them on "MisterRogers' Neighborhood" (1967)
Several childhood photos of Fred as a young boy
Vintage Mister Roger’s Neighborhood LP’s and audio cassettes