A Hong Kong Christmas
The First SZOPKI in Asia
On November 23, 2011, Dave Motak and Jack Samuels traveled to Hong Kong at the invitation of Sun Hung Kai Properties for the opening of a public exhibition of Dave’s szopka art. This was the first time that szopka art has been exhibited in Asia and the exhibition, which was extensively covered by Hong Kong media, has attracted rave reviews and large numbers of attendees. Special guests for the gala exhibition opening ceremonies and ribbon cutting were Taiwanese celebrity actress, film star and fashion model Sonia Sui and the Honorable Mariusz Boguszewski, Deputy Consul General for the Republic of Poland in Hong Kong.
The exhibition continues until January 5, 2012.
Dave with his “Hong Kong Szopka”
Jack and Dave are joined by Santa and his Helpers during the Press Conference that launched the publicity for the Hong Kong Szopka Exhibit.
Detail of the Szopka Exhibit.
More about the Exhibition at:
http://www.cracowcrafts.com/news.html
Dave Motak has been in higher education administration for nearly 20 years. He is a graduate of Alliance College and former art administrator, educator and folk artist. Dave studied Polish culture and history at the Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland were he lived for two years as a member of the Kosciuszko Foundation Study Abroad program. He was a student of Dr. Karl Estreicher, a prominent Polish art historian whose family first promoted the study of the Cracow Crèche as a serious art form. Dave travels to Poland extensively and maintains contacts with numerous Cracow szopkarze (crèche artists) in an ongoing effort to perfect his unique teaching methodology and skill. Dave’s educational efforts have been recognized by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts through the PA Partners in the Arts Program administered by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. Dave is assisted in the Cracow Creche WorkshopTM project by Jack Samuels. Jack is a former middle school administrator with extensive experience in curriculum development, educational technology and project management. With their combined energies, these talented professionals have developed a unique cultural and educational experience for students of all ages.