About the Project

Dixie teamed up with the people at New York's Museum of Arts & Design and challenged professional artists to come up with more imaginative disposable dinnerware. The contest drew 9,000 entries, 100 were chosen for exhibition. It was on exhibit from May 1 through June 8, 2003 at the Museum of Arts & Design in New York City. Contest Judges were Holly Hotchner, the Director of the Museum of Arts and Design; Judy Francis, President of the Society of Illustrators in New York; and Philip Verre, Deputy Director of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

About the Art

This sculpture by Big Mural owner Glennis McClellan called "Whistlin' Dixie Ferris Wheel" was a finalist in the "Art of the Plate" Competition. It is a fully functional Ferris Wheel, complete with miniature lights and a spinning wheel made of Dixie plates & cups. The spinning mechansim is made with a "greatly modified" K'Nex ferris wheel model and the lights and railing were purchased at a doll house store. The rest of the structure is made with balsa and plywood and paint.

"My first thought was that I wanted to create something interactive and fun - since Dixie really resonates with children." says artist Glennis McClellan, "the 'Ferris Wheel' concept evolved from putting the plates and cups together in different configurations, until I finally hit on this design. I wasn't sure if I could pull it off, since I am a painter, not a sculptor. Fortunately, it worked out just fine, and now I have a whole new respect for model builders!"

To find out more about this competion please visit http://www.gp.com/artoftheplate/ for more information