Governor Baker Announces New Large Venue Security Task Force

Governor Baker Announces New Large Venue Security Task Force

Names panel of experts to develop recommendations to bolster safety and security at large venues statewide

Courtesy of the New England Patriots/Eric J. Adler.

FOXBOROUGH – Governor Baker today signed an executive order to assemble a task force of security experts who will analyze ways to augment safety and preparedness at large venues like sports stadiums, concert halls and convention centers. He was joined by Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett, Undersecretary of Homeland Security Patrick McMurray, Kraft Group Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft, TD Garden President Amy Latimer and several members of the task force at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.

“Public safety will always be our top priority and forming this task force will inform future decisions to enhance security while maintaining everyone’s ability to enjoy a game, concert or conference,” said Governor Baker. “Tragic events in the United States and overseas have highlighted the need for our state, local and community partners to be focused on large venue security and we look forward to the work this commission will pursue.”  

“We are thankful for the security professionals who do a fantastic job protecting the people of the Commonwealth every day,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Like any team at the top of its game, there’s always ways to get better and find new ways to improve preparation, communication, and response.”

“Public safety officials and private venue operators have a shared responsibility to keep our citizens and visitors safe,”said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett. “The experts on this task force have long and varied experience in safety and security and I know they will present a series of excellent recommendations on ways to enhance security at large venues.”

“Securing a safe environment for our fans to enjoy games or concerts at Gillette Stadium is of paramount importance, and I want to thank the collaborative efforts of our TeamOps and the work they do with all of the local, state and federal agencies to create a plan for every event we host,” said The Kraft Group Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft. “Expanding that collaboration to include all other large venues, first in this state and eventually around the world, is a mission of this task force that I wholeheartedly support. We look forward to sharing best practices and discussions of new technologies to constantly find ways of improving the security we provide.”

“We are proud to be at the forefront of the creation of this task force. As a year-round destination and transit-oriented hub, TD Garden brings a unique perspective and skill set to the task force,” said TD Garden President Amy Latimer. “We look forward to utilizing this platform to its fullest extent to ensure the highest standards of public safety are being met across the Commonwealth.”

By April 30, 2019 the task force will submit to the governor a strategic plan for large venue security that will:

• Identify the safety and security risks facing large venues;

• Recommend standards for planning, training, intelligence gathering and sharing, and interoperable communications;

• Conduct a review of best practices around the world for public-private partnerships in ensuring large venue security; and

• Draft any recommended changes to statutes and regulations necessary to implement those best practices in Massachusetts.

The governor will designate two co-chairs: the Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and Mark Briggs, Managing Partner of Broadstone Group. Meetings of the task force will occur as frequently as necessary to accomplish the work.

Governor Baker’s executive order defines membership on the task force as follows:

Secretary, EOPSS	Secretary Daniel Bennett	Secretary Executive Office of Public Safety
Undersecretary of Homeland Security	Undersecretary Patrick McMurray	Undersecretary of Homeland Security
Colonel, MA State Police	Colonel Kerry Gilpin	Colonel, Massachusetts State Police
Adjutant General, MA National Guard	Colonel Margaret White	Colonel , MANG
Deputy Fire Marshal	Maribel Fournier	Deputy Fire Marshall
Public Safety Enforcement Professional 1	Jean Challies	Lt. Barnstable Police Department
Public Safety Enforcement Professional 2	Kerry L. Meade	Senior Special Agent (SSA)
Public Safety Enforcement Professional 3	Chief Steve Sargent	Chief, Worcester Police Department
Public Safety Enforcement Professional 4	Chief Tim O. Nelson	Chief, Amherst Fire Department
Public Safety Enforcement Professional 5	Commissioner William Gross	Commissioner Boston Police Department
Public Safety Enforcement Professional 6	Lieutenant Melissa Mullen	UMASS Lowell Police Department
Large Venue Operator Representative 1	Robert Noonan	Chief Information Security Office, MCCA
Large Venue Operator Representative 2	Ms. Amy Latimer	President, TD Garden
Large Venue Operator Representative 3	Mr. Mark Briggs	Managing Partner, Broadstone Group
Large Venue Operator Representative 4	Mr. Peter Nesbit	Vice President/Ballpark Operations, Boston Red Sox
Large Venue Operator Representative 5	Jason Freeman	Six Flags

台北市官方吉祥物「熊讚」訪波士頓 將參加國慶遊行

(Boston Orange)臺北市政府官方吉祥物「熊讚」應波士頓市政府邀請，訂10月3日至6日訪問波士頓。「熊讚」繼去年10月訪華府後，這是第二次來美，第一次為姊妹市交流出力。

            臺北市和波士頓市於1996年9月3日締結為姊妹市，迄今結誼二十多年。波士頓市政府國際策略處為厚植雙方情誼，增進兩城市人民之相互了解，月前致函臺北市政府，邀請「熊讚」來波士頓做姊妹市交流。該處除安排「熊讚」拜會波士頓市政府及市議會做市政交流，也安排「熊讚」參訪波士頓公立幼稚園及小學、歷史景點、著名大學、觀賞美式足球賽事等。

由於日期剛好，「熊讚」訪問波士頓期間，將參加波士頓經文處的中華民國107年國慶酒會，以及波士頓僑界的國慶遊行，和波士頓僑胞及當地民眾做更多互動。

          臺北市政府官方吉祥物「熊讚」誕生於民國104年8月19日，自105年元月起為推廣臺北世大運開始頻繁曝光，贏得極高人氣，深受臺灣民眾歡迎。自106年開始正式成為臺北市政府之官方吉祥物，其主要任務為推廣市政、行銷臺北、關懷兒童、進行城市交流等。

珠媽廚房加入僑胞卡海外特約商行列

牛頓市「珠媽廚房」加入僑委會「僑胞卡」海外特約商行列。

餐廳老闆李德順(左二)和「珠媽」李鄭晶珠(右二)，波士頓經文處長

徐佑典(左一)、波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(右一)在餐館前合影。

          (Boston Orange)牛頓市臺灣美食餐廳「珠媽廚房」加入僑務委員會「僑胞卡」海外特約商行列，今年10月10日起，將為持卡人提供5%至10%消費優惠。

餐廳老闆夫婦，李德順師傅和「珠媽」李鄭晶珠創辦的「珠媽廚房」，成立5年來，一直堅持固守臺式精緻美食的優良傳統，並自2014年起，連年獲得僑務委員會頒發的「臺灣美食標章」。

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在波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉鼓勵下，珠媽廚房成為波士頓地區繼龍鳳大酒樓後的第二家「僑胞卡」特約商店，並訂今年雙十國慶當天起，為持卡人提供現金付款九折(10％ off)，或信用卡消費九五折(5％ off)的優惠服務。

              駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長徐佑典表示，「珠媽廚房」是波士頓地區知名的臺灣美食餐廳，今年4月他抵任履新後，已多次邀請賓客在此餐敘，享用臺式小吃、珍珠奶茶和牛肉麵等許多人推介的美食。他很高興珠媽廚房能加入僑胞卡海外特約商店的行列，希望未來有更多僑臺商業者共襄盛舉。

              歐宏偉主任表示，在波士頓和昆西市的龍鳳大酒樓，以及牛頓市的珠媽廚房先後加入僑胞卡特約商店後，現有波士頓近郊多家臺灣美食餐廳和超商業者，也表達了加入意願。在臺灣的加盟特約商店已達2000多家，包括華航和長榮兩家中華民國國籍航空公司，還有許多百貨及精品公司、臺灣知名大飯店、超商和70餘家醫療院所，都為持卡人提供消費優惠。

歐宏偉鼓勵僑胞返臺探親或觀光旅遊時，攜帶僑胞卡，善用優惠，享受政府的用心與美意，也歡迎波士頓地區僑胞鄉親到僑教中心申領「僑胞卡」。

麻州氣爆災民眾多 波士頓慈濟發放物資援助

發放現場與居民親切的互動，慈濟志工馮美霞師姊(左一)、西語志工

Luis Pesquera (右一)。攝影志工：張伯庸

(Boston Orange)大波士頓9月13日發生煤氣爆炸事件，安多福鎮，北安多福鎮及勞倫斯市三地8000多人受衝擊。波士頓慈濟急難救濟組5名志工於災後第三天探訪，決定發放物資援助，9月21日出動75名志工，造福129戶人家。

發放物資中慈濟環保毛毯、環保圍巾，還有即時可食用的香積麵、

香積飯，都可以溫暖人心。

波士頓慈濟志工慈信事後描述整個事件，說明在9月13日時，距離波士頓市約一個小時車程的梅瑞麥克谷 (MERRIMACK VALLEY)一帶，突然有一連串的天然瓦斯爆炸事件，勞倫斯(Lawrence)、安多福(Andover)、北安多福(North Andover)等三個市鎮， 有四十幾棟房屋毀損，長達48英里左右的瓦斯管線必需更新，共八千多人受影響，其中勞倫斯市受災面積最廣，災難程度最嚴重。

慈濟急難救助組五名志工，在災後第三日到當地二處臨時收容中心，探望、關懷災民，與紅十字會、麻州急難救助協會(MEMA)及當地政府一起討論如何提供援助。

市議員帕亞諾先生向受災居民解說慈濟基金會

勞倫斯市臨時收容中心義工告訴慈濟志工，當地有許多低收入戶因這意外災害，生活雪上加霜。慈濟志工探訪幾次後，決定提供物資援助。

            九月二十九日，在勞倫斯市老人中心，

波士頓慈濟聯絡處集結了75名，來自本地、紐約、勞倫斯市等地的英語與西語志工，分頭發放援助物資，共發出毛毯一百二十九件、環保圍巾一百條、香積飯三十四包、香積麵九十五包、現值卡一百二十五份、竹筒一百二十七個，受惠戶數共一百二十九戶。

慈濟志工們再發放援助物資時，代表證嚴法師表達關懷慰問，也告訴他們，當天發放的所有物資，都是來自世界各地善心人士發自愛心的捐助。

慈濟援助氣爆事件發放會場，開場恭讀   證嚴法師的慰問信函

地點：勞倫斯市老人中心。

時間：09/29/2018 上午十一點

與會嘉賓：勞倫斯市市議員帕亞諾先生(PAVEL PAYANO)(左三)，

勞倫斯市老人中心負責人瑪莎女士(左二)，慈濟波士頓負責人吳建發

師兄(右ㄧ)，慈濟西語志工鄭詠雪女士(右二)，以及慈濟波士頓

志工彭淑敏師姊(左一)。攝影志工：張伯庸

勞倫斯市市議員帕亞諾(PAVEL PAYANO)在不時加入志工行列，協助翻譯之餘，也特地感謝慈濟志工，不分彼此，很有效率地為受災居民服務。

一名在場人士表示，看到慈濟來自不同國家，說不同語言的志工，同心協力的幫助受災民眾，他從內心深處感到震撼。(內容由波士頓慈濟提供)

全美亞裔總商會和全美拉丁裔聯盟為2020人口普查結盟

商務部部長羅斯主持“2020 人囗普查 策略夥伴”記者會

全美亞裔總商會與全美拉丁裔聯盟訂立策略聯盟

美國商務部長Wilbur Ross(左二)和全美亞裔總商會會長董繼玲(右二)，
全美拉丁裔聯盟 主席Hector Barreto(左一)，全國非裔商會主席Harry Alfor
(右一)出席“2020 人囗普查 策略夥伴” 記者會。

 (Boston Orange)在美國聯邦政府商務部部長羅斯(Wilbur Ross)主持的 “2020 人囗普查 策略夥伴” 記者會上，全美亞裔總商會“National ACE”與全美拉丁裔聯盟 “The Latino Coalition” 宣佈策略聯盟，並簽署MOU（合作備忘錄），將攜手促進亞裔和西裔的合作。

聯邦商務部部長羅斯感謝全美亞裔總商會會長董繼玲，  全美拉丁裔聯盟 主席Hector Barreto，以及 全國非裔商會主席Harry Alford等三人，代表他們各自的組織，將大力支持預定於2020年進行的人口普查。

全美亞裔總商會會長董繼玲(左)和全美拉丁裔聯盟 主席Hector Barreto(中)

羅斯部長強調，每十年舉辦一次的這人口普查，是非常重要的公民活動，目標是統計到每一個人 。人口普查局正在積極招募合作夥伴，估計本月底將有100人加入普查行動行列，到普查高峰期時，可能有多達1500人在全國各地工作。

兩週前，羅斯部長晤見人口普查局的策略聯盟夥伴。他表示自己將親自參與招聘合作組織行動，並透露今年以來，人口普查局已和200多家大型的零售商，餐館和連鎖酒店，社交媒體和數位公司晤談。

羅斯部長也接觸了一些州政府，鼓勵他們為2020年人口普查設立“完整計數委員會”，推動民眾積極參與人口普查，以從聯邦政府的6750億元地方補助款中獲得應有份額，用於修橋補路，輔佐學校及醫院等等。

截至目前為止，已有38個州和哥倫比亞特區成立了完整計數委員會。許多州政府也經由提供數據的方式來支持人口普查。

全美亞裔總商會會長董繼玲表示，亞裔總商會代表全美各地州商會，以及大約200多萬的亞裔美國人和太平洋島民（AAPI）商家的商業利益，以促進經濟和提高社會福祉為目標。總商會負責政策建言，為商業領袖與公共部門交流合作提供平台，倡議促進經濟增長的公共政策。

2000年至2015年間，美國亞洲人口增長了72％（從1,190萬增加到2,040萬），在所有主要種族或族裔群體中增長最快。

董繼玲指出，人口普查結果對AAPI企業的業務穩定，發展，創新相當重要，沒有這些數據，AAPI社區容易被忽視，並失去原本可得到的政府服務或支援。該會期待在商務部長羅斯的領導下，和戰略合作夥伴密切合作，協力促成人口普查這重要工作的圓滿執行。

全美亞裔總商會和全美拉丁裔聯盟在羅斯部長見證中簽訂了策略聯盟。美國電子法律信息公司總執行長李忠剛，國際領袖基金會（ILF）代理主任朱小棣等都在座觀禮。(消息及圖片來源:全美亞裔總商會)

Treasurer Goldberg Elected NAST Senior Vice President

Treasurer Goldberg Elected NAST Senior Vice President

The National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) has elected Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg to serve as the organization’s Senior Vice President for 2019

BOSTON — The National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) has elected Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg to serve as the organization’s Senior Vice President for 2019. Goldberg received bi-partisan confirmation from her peers to the one-year post at the recent NAST Annual Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“I am honored to be elected Senior Vice President of NAST,” said Treasurer Goldberg. “I am proud to work with my fellow Treasurers and the professionals who dedicate themselves to advancing sound financial policies and programs that benefit all of our country’s citizens.”

Prior to her election to this leadership role, Goldberg held the position of Secretary Treasurer. In 2019 she will serve as Chair of NAST’s Program Committee and will continue to serve as Vice Chair of the Long Range Planning Committee, as well as a member of the Executive Committee, the Taxation Committee, and the Financial Education and Empowerment Committee.

NAST is an organization dedicated to helping the nation's financial leaders pursue and implement sound financial policies benefiting the citizens of the nation. Membership is composed of all state treasurers or state finance officials with comparable responsibilities throughout the United States.

A businesswoman, local official, and community leader, Goldberg was elected state treasurer in 2014 on a platform to protect taxpayer dollars, bring new levels of transparency to state government and advance policies that break down barriers and create economic empowerment.

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES VISION ZERO UPDATE, HIGHLIGHTING CONTINUED PROGRESS TOWARDS ROADWAY SAFETY

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES VISION ZERO UPDATE, HIGHLIGHTING CONTINUED PROGRESS TOWARDS ROADWAY SAFETY

BOSTON - Tuesday, October 2, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today released the City of Boston's 2017/2018 Vision Zero Boston Update on roadway safety initiatives completed over the past year, as well as work that is currently ongoing. The report highlights initiatives of the Boston Transportation Department such as reducing the default speed limit, implementing the Neighborhood Slow Streets program in two zones, improving priority corridors and targeted intersections, and prioritizing projects to address inequality in transportation. "The safety of our streets is crucial to ensure our neighborhoods are safe and welcoming for all, and through our Vision Zero agenda, we continue to make tremendous progress towards meeting our traffic and pedestrian safety goals," said Mayor Walsh. "While we know that we have more work to do to, I am encouraged by the collaboration behind our goal of eliminating crashes that result in serious or fatal injuries, and making our streets safer for everyone." Vision Zero is an early action item of Go Boston 2030, the City of Boston's comprehensive, long-term transportation plan that seeks to build a safe, reliable and equitable transportation network for Boston's residents, commuters and visitors. Highlights of the 2017/2018 Vision Zero report include: Reducing the City of Boston's default speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph Following the successful implementation of a citywide speed limit of 25 mph, the Boston Transportation Department has worked to ensure awareness of the reduced speed limit by posting over 100 new 25 mph speed limit signs at gateways on City of Boston owned streets and installing 57 new digital speed feedback signs citywide that flash when the speed limit is exceeded. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently conducted a study of the effects of lowering Boston's speed limit from 30 to 25 mph. Results indicate that lowering speed limits by 5 mph on city-owned streets improves safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. In particular, by lowering the speed limit to 25 mph, the proportion of people driving over 35 mph, where the risk of severe injury to pedestrians is greatest, went down over 20 percent. Implementing the Neighborhood Slow Streets Program Neighborhood Slow Streets is the Boston Transportation Department's residential traffic-calming initiative. In Slow Streets zones, the speed limit is reduced to 20 mph and self-enforced by physical changes to streets, such as adding speed humps or curb extensions. Zones are annually selected from neighborhood applications based on objective criteria including crash history, higher percentage of vulnerable residents (including youth, elders, and people with disabilities), and proximity to public places such as schools, parks and libraries. Physical changes have been implemented in zones in Jamaica Plain and Dorchester, and additional zones are underway in Chinatown, Dorchester, Roslindale and Roxbury. Five more zones will join the program this year: Redefine Our Community; the Washington-Harvard-Norwell neighborhood; West Codman Hill - East; West Codman Hill - West; and the West Selden Street and Vicinity neighborhood. In addition, the City will work with neighbors in the top ranking communities that resubmitted applications to improve safety near schools, parks, libraries and/or community centers. "We are so excited to be selected for the Neighborhood Slow Streets program," said Dorchester resident Jeanette Simmons, Assistant Treasurer of Redefine our Community Neighborhood Committee. "The data confirms that we have a traffic safety problem on our streets, and that our community has a lot of children and people with disabilities. Many families with small children walk to our local playground, so we're especially looking forward to improvements that will make it safer for our kids." Constructing improvements on priority corridors and at targeted intersections Beacon Street in the Back Bay, Kneeland Street in Chinatown, and Tremont Street in Roxbury and the South End, are all priority corridors that have been outfitted with contemporary safety enhancements. Daylighting at intersections and painting new crosswalks to allow for better visibility of pedestrians; creating tactical islands to provide a safe refuge for people crossing wide streets; retiming traffic signals to improve pedestrian safety; implementing new bike lanes; and painting channelization lines on the roadway to guide drivers are a few examples of improvements that have been made on these priority corridors. Improvements made at targeted intersections include installing pavement markings and flex posts to guide drivers through curves; constructing tactical curb extensions to shorten the distance pedestrians need to cross; painting new crosswalks and other pavement markings; and establishing daylighting treatments, all helping to further enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists. These improvements have been made in Roslindale Square, Neponset Avenue at Canterbury Street, L Street, Broadway and Wood Avenue near Mariposa Street. In addition, more extensive intersection improvements such as the relocation of curbs; the construction of islands; and the installation of new traffic signals as well as rapid flash beacons that remind motorists to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks were installed at Brighton Avenue and Chester Street, Saratoga Street adjacent to the Orient Heights MBTA Station, Farragut Road, and at Malcolm X Boulevard near King Street. Focusing on equity and prioritizing projects to address inequality in transportation A Framework for Equitable Decision Making is a guide developed this year by the City of Boston to follow when planning Vision Zero safety improvements. The focus is on people who have greater vulnerability when using City streets, locations where people gather, such as, schools, parks and job centers, streets that have experienced crashes and streets with similar physical characteristics of these streets. In 2015, Mayor Walsh announced that Boston would be joining cities and towns worldwide in adopting Vision Zero, a commitment to eliminate fatalities and severe injuries related to traffic crashes. Following the announcement, he appointed a multi-agency task force, lead by the Boston Transportation Department, to guide the effort and develop a plan of action. "We're proud of the work that the Boston Transportation Department and our partners have achieved since the Vision Zero policy was adopted in Boston," said Transportation Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca. "Yet, even one fatal crash on our streets is too many. We are continuing our efforts to vigorously pursue innovative solutions to help us meet this challenge and ensure that Boston's streets safely welcome all users. The report we are releasing today includes data indicating that the number of fatal crashes in Boston decreased from 21 in 2016 to 14 in 2017." "Of the 58 policies and projects highlighted in Go Boston 2030, action has been taken on more than half of them," said Chief of Streets Chris Osgood. "Like Vision Zero, many of these initiatives are multifaceted and require a great deal of coordination with neighborhood residents, government agencies at the city and state level, and transportation advocates. I'd like to thank all who have helped us to advance Vision Zero in Boston and I look forward to continuing this valuable collaboration in the future."   For more information on Go Boston 2030 and Vision Zero, please visit boston.gov/transportation.

BOSTON BAR CHARGED WITH SELLING ALCOHOL TO MINORS

BOSTON BAR CHARGED WITH SELLING ALCOHOL TO MINORS

10 Minors found in possession of alcohol

On Saturday, September 30, 2018 at approximately 5:30 pm, MassachusettsAlcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) Investigators found 10 minors in possession of alcohol at Savvor, located at 180 Lincoln Street in Boston. Investigators found the bar to be at capacity when they arrived, and it emptied out onto Lincoln Street as they began to request identification. Boston police were called to manage the crowd. The bar will be summoned for a hearing before the Commission; if found to have violated the law, the bar’s liquor license could be subject to suspension, modification or revocation.

The enforcement was part of the ABCC’s efforts to prevent underage drinking.Statistics show that three teens die from drinking and driving every day, and approximately six teens die every day of non-driving alcohol-related causes, such as homicide, suicide, and drowning. Alcohol intoxication has also been reported to be involved in 47% of homicides and 23% of suicides involving people under 21. In Massachusetts alone, the overall cost of alcohol abuse by youth is estimated at $1.4 billion.

“Bars and restaurants have an obligation to responsibly serve to people who are the legal drinking age,” said State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. “We will continue our monitoring and enforcement actions because we know that efforts like this save lives and prevent tragedies before they happen.”

In 2017 the Enforcement Division conducted operations in over 200 municipalities throughout the commonwealth, filing 171 reports detailing approximately 267 violations of the Liquor Control Act that included the sale of alcohol to underage or intoxicated individuals, illegal gambling, illegal alcoholic beverages, illegal narcotics activity, criminal ownership of licensed premises, and unlawful trade practices. In addition, seasonal programs produced the following results: 826 minors in possession or transporting alcoholic beverages; 115 adults procuring alcohol for minors; 226 individuals in possession of false identification; and 336 cases of beer and 441 bottles of alcohol were confiscated by Investigators, preventing delivery to approximately 5754 underage individuals. 

Chang Chia-Ming “FLOWER and STONE” 10/14

Acton, MA –

Contemporary Arts International (CAI), also known as YV Art Museum (WHY WE Art Museum)announces the solo exhibition of paintings and sculptures by  Chang Chia-Ming. The exhibition is entitled “FLOWER and STONE”, it will display 19 large and medium scale paintings of flowers and 20 delicate granite sculptures.  An Opening reception will be held on October 14, Sunday at 2:00PM.

 

CHANG CHIA-MING is an outstanding painter and stone sculptor from Taiwan. As the Title of the show indicated Chang is a multi-faceted artist; not only has he mastered stone carving, he is also a serious painter. It seems that the subjects and media Chang choose to present in this show are the two extremes in the field of both 2D art and 3D art, “soft” as creating the fragile, short-lived flower by paint brushes, “hard” as holding the heavy air tools, electric grinders and chisels to the strong, long-lived stone.

 

Chang was invited by the Museum/CAI at first as a stone carver to participate in the CAI’s New Art Archeology program, during the 3-week Stone Carving Symposium he carved a 10-foot tall, 6-ton monumental granite sculpture. After the completion of the Symposium, Chang started to paint flowers in reaction to the environment surrounding of the Museum’s sculptural grounds. His sharp observation of the subtle colors hidden in this dense forest, and the colors of the man-made sculptures on the grounds comes out on huge canvases.  He sets up his 10 feet tall canvas frame in the woods next to the big stone pile. He paints from dawn to dusk and lets the daylight gradation speak to him throughout the day. His elevated spirit and supreme inspiration has evidently shown through the painted flowers.

Chang’s artwork associates profoundly to the figurative and its social implication. His composition lingers on the edge between abstraction and concreteness.

 

At age 50, Chang has had experience in a variety of media, stone, wood, fiberglass, bronze, plaster…to name a few, and diverse world cultures. His sensitivity to other cultures perhaps was first ignited by his 6 years of art study in Japan. With that he earned a BFA degree in Sculpture at the Nagoya Art University. After having been a successful artist, his intellectual curiosity brought him to pursue another master study in Cultural Anthropology in 2007. Naturally his approach to Anthropology is intensely artistic; consequently he examines his artwork with an anthropological perception since. When asked how he balanced the art sensational realm versus academic rational realm, he replied “it’s not about balancing, it’s about the effectiveness, in other words, if when expressing my idea, paint is effective, I will paint, otherwise, I will sculpt.”

 

CAI’s admission fee is $5 for students/ seniors and $10 for adults, which will include a tour of the studio and the sculpture park.

 

For more information, visit our website at www.contemporaryartsinternational.org.