May 17, 2006

The USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC) will present a new award at its upcoming competition, scheduled for June 17 – July 2, 2006. The Ballet International Award, an original bronze sculpture by artist Paige Bradley, will be awarded to an outstanding junior or senior finalist in the competition. The prize will be donated by Ballet International, which serves as a patron for dancers and choreographers across the globe, bringing performers together to learn new techniques and styles on a worldwide platform.

Bradley, a renowned American artist, will unveil a larger version of the sculpture at Classic Art Gallery in California. The piece is a 35-inch bronze work featuring a female dancer gliding forward through a rising fabric spiral. Her movement is complimented by a male dancer soaring up through the center, creating a dramatic pinnacle in the piece. Adding fluidity and serenity, the organic spiral encompasses the dancers, harnessing the power, grace and unity that are so distinctive of the art of dance.

“Paige Bradley is one of the world’s most expressive sculptors,” said Dr. Andreas Kronenberg, founder and president of Ballet International. “Her sculptures demonstrate an ability to fuse contemporary human emotion and spirituality into an immediately appealing, yet profound form of communication. Bradley’s master-piece will indeed be a cherished award for the ballet dancers.”

Ballet International, which commissioned the sculpture, plans to present a smaller version of the piece as a prize to talented young dancers at elite international dance competitions, in hopes that this award will become a hallmark in the world of dance. The first presentation of the new award will take place at the USA International Ballet Competition (IBC) in Jackson, Mississippi, on July 1, 2006.

“We are so pleased Ballet International chose the USA IBC as the first competition at which to present this award,” said Sue Lobrano, executive director of the USA IBC. “It’s so important to recognize and celebrate young talent in the dance industry, and I know this piece will make a wonderful gift for one of our competitors.”