FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION:
June 2004 Dr. Marty Brunson
Catch-A-Dream Foundation
662-325-3174
martyb@ext.msstate.edu
Environmental Artist Catches a New Vision!
Noted environmental artist, Larry Glaze, named official artist for the Catch-A-Dream
Foundation
Mississippi State, MS – Larry Glaze of Carthage, MO, is no stranger to grand visions! A free-lance artist who designs and crafts unique and functional art from items found in the wild, Glaze brings his convictions and visions of heritage, freedom and natural beauty to life in his sculptures, functional antler furniture, chandeliers, and log home related furnishing made from natural materials, especially antlers. His “Antler Art of the Plains” has been featured numerous times at the Western Design Conference in Cody, Wyoming, and earned him the coveted People’s Choice Award in 2002 and 2003. A dedicated conservationist, Glaze combines his love for the natural world with his gift of creative expression to render his amazing and inspiring sculptures and carvings. He is especially enamored with eagles, and many of his finest pieces feature these magnificent creatures sculpted from moose or elk antlers, soaring above the natural beauty of our wild America, celebrating the heritage of freedom we enjoy in the United States.
“It’s no wonder Larry embraces what we have come to call, ‘The Vision’,” says Dr. Marty Brunson, Board Chairman for the Catch-A-Dream Foundation. “Our underlying premise for Catch-A-Dream is based upon the bible passage in Isaiah 40:31, which speaks of those who hope in the Lord soaring on eagle’s wings, running and not growing weary, walking and not becoming faint," adds Brunson. In fact, an outdoor artist, Bruce Brady himself, in whose memory the program exists, conceived the Catch-A-Dream concept.
The Catch-A-Dream Foundation was the vision of Bruce Brady, a writer, sculptor, and hunter with a genuine love for the outdoors that was evident in his daily life. Brady dreamed of a program that would fill the gap created when the world’s largest children’s wish-granting organization, Make-A-Wish, was forced to establish national policy that would no longer allow them to grant requests that involve hunting or use of “...firearms, hunting bows, or other hunting or sport-shooting equipment.” Established in 2000, after Brady lost his battle with cancer, Catch-A-Dream strives to provide life-changing outdoor related experiences for youth, age 18 years and younger, who are battling life threatening illnesses. The goals of this extraordinary organization are to memorialize Brady and help make his vision a reality by granting deserving children an outdoor adventure that will provide them with a memorable, encouraging and uplifting experience. These goals are achieved through contributions from companies, organizations and individuals. Each contributor to Catch-A-Dream becomes part of a child’s individual experience. This allows for the personal satisfaction of seeing a child they’ve helped achieve his/her dream, and moreover, witness how that experience has made a difference in the child’s life.
“I am pleased and deeply honored to be associated with Catch-A-Dream. I know that if Mr. Bruce were still alive he would be the official artist for such a wonderful organization. I am humbled to stand in his stead, to honor his memory and serve these children by doing my part to perpetuate “The Vision” through artistic creation,” Glaze said as he was introduced recently at the 3rd annual Catch the Vision golf, shotgun and music benefit spectacular in West Point, MS.
An annual event held for the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, Catch the Vision has become widely noted for bringing together the very best of the outdoors, sporting and entertainment industries. For the 3rd straight year the event was hosted by 2004 CMA award-nominated, RCA recording artist Tracy Byrd and was attended by notables such as Bill Dance, Fuzzy Zoeller and Blake Shelton.
“What an incredible event,” said Toxey Haas, founder and CEO of Mossy Oak. The funds raised by this group of folks, and through this event, will indeed have a direct and positive impact on these children’s lives. That’s what really makes this a vision worth catching.”
Glaze’s antler art will be featured in special fund-raising events across the country, and also used as part of the Foundation’s donor recognition program. One of his unique moose antler eagle sculptures was presented to Peggy Brady, a life member on the Board of Directors for the Foundation that bears her deceased husband’s name, at the West Point event. “I am speechless!” said Brady. “I know that my Bruce would be pleased by Larry’s devotion not only to the natural wonders that we enjoy, but especially to the mission of serving these dear children who face difficult medical conditions. We are pleased that Larry has become part of the Catch-A-Dream team!” she added.
The Bruce Brady Memorial Catch-A-Dream Foundation is headquartered at Mississippi State University, and operates as a unique component of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. For more information or to learn how to participate, please go online and visit http://www.catchadream.org. Information on Glaze’s art can be found http://www.antlerartoftheplains.com.
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