Arts Commission names Joseph Burlini as Cultural Arts Award winner

Local artist Joseph Burlini was honored recently with the annual Cultural Arts Award at the Fall Art Outreach event hosted by the Arlington Heights Arts Commission Nov. 8 at the village hall.

“I’m one of only three people to receive this honor,” he said, as he accepted the award, referring to previous winners sculptor Fran Volz and painter Jack Musich. He added that he had been making art for over 30 years but felt as though he never worked a day in his life.

Examples of Burlini’s works were on display, including a model of a 68-foot sculpture created for a shopping mall near New York City.

The award is given to a resident or former resident of Arlington Heights who has exhibited accomplished work in his or her field. Burlini has created, over the years, commissioned works for the Pentagon, McDonald’s, and the American Hospital Association. He has sculpted awards for Mohamed Ali, Hillary Clinton, and Michael Jordan, among others, and has shared his knowledge of art through his Master Classes in Sculpture and the Gifted Children’s Program. His works appear in several locations in Arlington Heights, including the “Children Releasing Doves” sculpture and floor medallion at the train station and several pieces at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

The Fall Art Outreach event also featured Riley Langefeld, whose animated film “Symphony,” was the winner of last summer’s Teen Film competition and Paula Matzek, one of the artists participating in the commission’s Banner Pole project, in which local artists designed banners depicting a fall theme. The banners were displayed on poles along Northwest Highway and Arlington Heights Road. A highlight of the evening was a performance by classical guitarist Jack Cimo.

They also participated in a panel discussing the topic “Insights into the Art of Different Generations.”

The evening ended with an opportunity for the audience to network with Burlini, Riley Langefeld, Paula Matzek and Jack Cimo. The next Art Outreach event will be held in April.

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