For immediate release January 28, 2014
Internationally Renowned 3D Pop Artist Charles Fazzino to Create Official Little League® 75th Anniversary Artwork and Lead Educational Workshops for Lycoming and Sullivan County, Pa., Students
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (January 28, 2014) – Nationally-celebrated pop artist Charles Fazzino, will be working with fifth grade students from Pennsylvania schools in Lycoming and Sullivan Counties to create the official artwork for the 75th Anniversary of Little League®. Mr. Fazzino, who has created similar works of art for 14 NFL Super Bowls, nine MLB All Star Games, the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi and many other major sporting and cultural events, will unveil his one-of-a-kind work at the 2014 Little League Baseball® World Series, which will become a permanent exhibition at the World of Little League®: Peter J. McGovern Museum and Official Store at Little League International Headquarters in South Williamsport, Pa.
“I am excited to be working on this project with Little League and the communities that have supported the organization since its founding 75 years ago,” said Mr. Fazzino, who is based in New York. “It’s a special opportunity to be able to create a work of art that will commemorate this momentous occasion and recognize the importance of Little League as an international institution, while working with the students and teachers in Little League’s backyard.”
The project, initiated by the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP), will also involve multiple levels of students throughout the region in developing pieces of art that will be displayed alongside Fazzino’s works at The Gallery at Penn College on the campus of Pennsylvania College of Technology from July 10 through August 24. As part of the project, Mr. Fazzino will travel to Williamsport, Pa., from February 25 to 27, where he will lead educational workshops for teachers, high school students and fifth graders. Select fifth graders from the schools in Lycoming and Sullivan Counties will have the opportunity to work with Mr. Fazzino on creating the finished 3D work of art for the 75th Anniversary of Little League.
“Little League has played a vital role in our greater community here in central Pennsylvania for 75 years,” said Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour, Pennsylvania College of Technology President, Little League International Board of Directors Chairman and FCFP Board of Directors Past-Chairman and Current Member. “This is an exciting project where we can follow in Little League founder Carl E. Stotz’s vision to educate the area children while creating a lasting work of art to celebrate the community and Little League’s commitment to developing major league people.”
Mr. Fazzino’s trip to Williamsport will include a teacher development session on Tuesday, Feb. 25; an assembly for fifth grade students in Lycoming and Sullivan Counties and high school student master class on Wednesday, Feb. 26. A working session with fifth graders helping Mr. Fazzino build his 3D Little League artwork will take place on Thursday, Feb. 27. Mr. Fazzino will finish the piece and present the final project at the Little League Baseball World Series, which will be held in South Williamsport, Pa., from August 14 to 24.
“When the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania first approached us with this idea, we thought it was a perfect way to celebrate Little League’s 75th Anniversary with the local community,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “The project will give Little League artwork by a celebrated artist, while giving back to the children in our community through education and participation. We couldn’t be more thrilled to work with all of our friends in the community on this project to celebrate our Diamond Anniversary.”
For more information on the project visit the Charles Fazzino Project on LittleLeagueBigLegacy.com.
Caption: Charles Fazzino working on the official artwork for the 75th Anniversary of Little League.
Hi-res image available upon request.
About Little League®
Little League® Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with 2.4 million players and one million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and more than 80 other countries. In 2014, Little League is celebrating its 75th Anniversary of developing major league people. For more information, visit LittleLeague.org, or follow the Little League on Facebook (facebook.com/LittleLeague) or Twitter (twitter.com/LittleLeague). Celebrate Little League’s 75th Anniversary online at LittleLeagueBigLegacy.com, official hashtag: #LittleLeague75.
About Charles Fazzino
Charles Fazzino — one of the most popular artists in the world — is most well-known for his unique, detailed, and vibrant three-dimensional style. His work is exhibited in hundreds of fine art galleries and museums in twenty different countries. He is an officially licensed artist of the National Football League and the Super Bowl (2000-present), Major League Baseball and the MLB All-Star Game (2003-present), and the US Olympic Team (2000-present). He has also recently created official artwork for high profile events, including: the 2011 Centennial Celebration for the City of Fort Lauderdale, the President’s Challenge for President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, NASCAR Sprint Cup series, NHL All-Star Game, Belmont Stakes, Daytona 500, Indy 500, Andy Roddick Charity Gala, U.S. Tennis Foundation, CMA Awards, Grammy Awards, Daytime Emmy Awards, NBC’s “Today” Summer Concert Series, Rosie O’Donnell’s For All Kids Foundation and the President William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation, among many others. You can view more of Fazzino’s work at fazzino.com.
About First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania
The First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania works regionally and locally to bring together people, partners and places to grow local giving and investment, strengthen area organizations and results, and take on the critical issues and efforts needed to build vibrant communities and a thriving north central Pennsylvania region. FCFP serves the Danville area, Union County, Williamsport, and Lycoming County to create powerful communities, through passionate giving. For more information, visit fcfpartnership.org or follow FCFP on Facebook: facebook.com/FirstCommunityFoundationPartnership
About The Gallery at Penn College
The Gallery at Penn College strives to be an important instructional resource for students and a cultural asset to Pennsylvania College of Technology and local communities. The Gallery is dedicated to promoting art appreciation and understanding through its exhibitions of traditional and contemporary art in a variety of media. Throughout the year, The Gallery is host to numerous exhibitions and events that range from local collections to international traveling exhibitions. Penn College is a special mission affiliate of Penn State, committed to applied technology education. Located in Williamsport, Pa., the College enrolls nearly 6,000 students in bachelor’s, associate and certificate programs relating to more than 100 different career areas.
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For more information contact:
| Brian McClintock |
Little League
Office: 570-326-1921, ext. 2252
Email: bmcclintock@LittleLeague.org
Website: LittleLeague.org
Julie Maner
Museum Editions, Ltd.
Exclusive Publishers for 3-D Pop Artist Charles Fazzino
Office: 914-654-9370
Email: jmaner@fazzino.com
Website: Fazzino.com
Erin Ruhl
First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania
Office: 570-321-1500
Email: ErinR@fcfpartnership.org
Website: fcfpartnership.org
