Client: Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy

Overview

MVP is a bronze figurative sculpture of a 12 year old female basketball player, created by Ignition Arts owner Brian McCutcheon. Located in Smith Playground, it is the first freestanding sculpture depicting an African American girl in the City of Philadelphia. The figure’s pose is symbolic of a decisive moment, representing the moment of transformation for the course of a game, but also of a person’s life as they move from adolescence to adulthood. The sculpture is dedicated to Philadelphia basketball legend and tennis player Ora Washington, who was a trailblazer for African American women’s athletics.

Goals

Philadelphia's Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy sought proposals under the Percent for Public Art Program to create a public artwork for South Philly park Smith Playground. Brian McCutcheon participated in the competition and his proposal to sculpt a bronze statue of an African American girl was selected. McCutcheon sought to build a monument to the people who use the park. Scottlynn Johnson, a 12-year-old basketball player living near Ignition Arts in Indianapolis, was hired to model for the statue.

Process

Ignition Arts Fabrication Scope -- project management, design development, clay modeling, mold making, bronze casting, chasing, and patination