Public Artist Barton Rubenstein, creator of the Smithsonian’s Portrait of a Nation Award (of which you are now honorees), has been working with Dan Faber, CEO of the USTA Foundation to create a landmark large scale sculpture, which will be placed at tennis centers around the country, including at the soon-to-be built Lulu’s Place, next to LAX airport. Dan also works closely with the Kimmelman family and the Tiger Woods Foundation (where I understand Alexis Ohanian is a board member) to make this a state-of-the-art facility for underserved communities.

The hope is to also create a similar hugely successful program as the one at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, including an Award, presented to individuals who have made a large contribution to the tennis world as well as for their humanitarian achievement.

For Rubenstein and the the Portrait of a Nation Award, it has been personal, as he has chosen the profile of his late mother, Daryl Rubenstein, who died in 1981 and was a curator at the Smithsonian and beloved by many in the DC region.

It is the USTA Foundation’s hope to create a

Serena and Venus Award

which would act as a way to inspire young Americans and raise the visibility of this important foundation, which now supports over 200 underserved communities in the US.

• 

• 

• 

As my 24 year old daughter says, “They are inspirational ICONS in my life.” This Serena and Venus Award (mirror polished stainless steel) would be personal for both of you, using your beautiful profiles as well as the Head tennis racquet of Arthur Ashe, who began the tennis world’s focus on underserved communities.

——————————

It was great to meet you at the Gala this past weekend and congratulations! I would love the opportunity to “continue the conversation” about this exciting new development at the USTA Foundation.

You can contact me at:

Barton Rubenstein – bartsher@gmail.com – c. 301.654.5406

www.RubensteinStudios.com/usta-foundation

————————–

Rendering of USTA Foundation Serena and Venus Award at Lulu’s Place, California

3D Video of the USTA Foundation Serena and Venus Award