The Genius Girl Project- HOPE, UNITY, AND POWER TO THE PEOPLE! Want to get behind something we all need right NOW? With all of these crazy injustices continuing to hurt our friends and family of color, all the scary politics, and all of these horrible racist statues FINALLY being taken down around the U.S., wouldn't it be so fitting for us Vallejoens to band together and get our very own Genius Girl Statue turned from FOAM to BRONZE and have her placed in a prominent place in Vallejo? <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/41683456_1592604269206144_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="41683456_1592604269206144_r.jpeg" /> We all have a choice...let's take a knee for peace.  <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/41683456_1592600528474419_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="41683456_1592600528474419_r.jpeg" /> Picture Genius Girl cast in bronze in front of a new police station, or in front of Vallejo City Hall, or in front of the Solano County Supervisor Court! Imagine what a powerful of a  message that would be to people who visit our city...a statue that represents hope, unity, and power to the people! <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/41683456_1592597624191394_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="41683456_1592597624191394_r.jpeg" /> Wouldn’t you love Public Art to reflect the World you want for your Children? Let’s Make Magic! Help turn Foam into Bronze! Create + Donate + Cast  <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/41683456_1592461062807669_r.jpeg" alt="41683456_1592461062807669_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /> A word from the artist JeanCheire: <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/41683456_1592604463674665_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="41683456_1592604463674665_r.jpeg" /> The title “Genius” sparked in me a very strong reaction to Public Art and it’s potential. A remnant of Vallejo’s past was exhumed out of obscurity, and publicly forced upon us, irregardless of any redeeming social value it might contain, and ignoring the publics overwhelming objections to it. Oddly titled “Genius” it was reinstated in the square at Georgia and Santa Clara at considerable expense. There was much debate about the appropriateness of reinstalling this work, but the past prevailed. Looking at this sculpture called Genius puzzled me. With his anguished face and broken neck he certainly did not lift up my spirits, nor fill me with joy. This tortured statue implies that in order to be a “Genius” one has to be in grave pain and suffering. However this sad creature did start me thinking of the purpose of public Art. I easily concluded that Public Art should uplift our being, emotionally, physically and spiritually as individual humans and as a community. I strive for my sculpture to reflect the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. Instead this old version of “Genius” reflects perfectly the sad state our beloved Vallejo is in at this moment in time. Vallejo reflects this statue’s intense physical and mental anguish, as we are being beaten down by brutality, inequality, poverty, bureaucratic inequity, and inhumanity. Is this how we residents of Vallejo, and the World, want to see ourselves? Is this painfully tortured man trying to attain some Lofty goal? I think not! He is saying “No matter how hard you try to attain greatness it is going to hurt you. So forget about it.” Even with beautiful powerful wings we cannot rise up. If this strong winged man cannot reach lofty heights what chance do lowly Vallejo creatures have? We are being told we do not have a chance. Our answer is a resounding NO! Thus the inspiration for Genius Girl was born! In our community we glimpse aspects and hints of beauty, power, skill and talent every day, just as we see the pain, suffering, agony and cruelty. Artists have the ability to isolate all those fleeting moments, freeze them in time go either way; I choose the Good, the True and the Beautiful to remind us of our potential and make us smile and feel good. The people of Vallejo have the power, will, and strength to overcome our challenges to reach incredible heights. We can aspire to a glorious future. The faces of our children reflect the beauty, hope, joy and determination we can attain. All these thoughts were swirling and fermenting in my head! How would I show this aspiration and determination to greatness? With all these lofty qualities I also had to show our righteous defiance and resistance in the face of ignorance, inequality and injustice. I had only to look as far as the brave and resolute professional athletes who were willing to sacrifice their professional careers to make the point of equality and justice! They inspired her pose and gesture. I now needed a model to convey these ideas and ideals! The Universe was listening and delivered to me the perfect girl! This young African American woman was not only a delight to sculpt, with her classical African beauty. She represents the strength, intelligence, and power needed to lead us into a beautiful future. <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/41683456_1592461144610051_r.jpeg" alt="41683456_1592461144610051_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /> Our hope for the future is black girls growing into women. We see all girls, all boys, all creatures coming into their own Genius! Genius Girl, the sculpture, uplifts and makes us smile with the joy and hope of the possible. Want to join us in making a difference, in this wonderful city that we know and love? We are raising money for this very important project via our fiscal sponsor Solano County Arts Council, any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this amazing project.  <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/41683456_1592597097481214_r.jpeg" alt="41683456_1592597097481214_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /> More info to come! Keep up with us on Facebook: Genius Girl Project and Instagram @geniusgirlproject <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/41683456_1592461771120502_r.jpeg" alt="41683456_1592461771120502_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />

Danette Mitchell

Tebby George

Karen Finlay

April Arneson Berryhill

Anonymous

Maria Verdeschi

Katrina Wreede

Kristen E Loomis

Vicki  Gunter 

William White

Gabe  Clement

zofea  chess

Johanna Bedard

Sandi Gundersen

Bryan Rawlings

Peralta Family

Wayne Goodman

Gayle Christianson

Genius Girl Project

Genius Girl Project

Still $46,630 to go. Help us build momentum.