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August 2005 • Volume 2, Issue 8 This issue home | Past issues | Chamber home Donation Allows City To Commission Lightpainting For Eisemann Center
The City of Richardson and supporters of the Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations in Richardson recently honored Gayla and James Von Ehr, II for their $250,000 gift to the City, making it possible to commission a lightpainting from internationally renowned artist Stephen Knapp for the east wall in the Leftwich Grand Foyer of the Eisemann Center. The gift and commission were the result of the vision and determination of major donor and chair of the Major Gifts Committee, Charles W. “Chuck” Eisemann. “I want to express my sincere gratitude for the leadership shown by the Von Ehrs in making this gift that has allowed the City to commission this extraordinary work for the Eisemann Center. From the time I saw the lightpainting commissioned by the Von Ehrs for their home, I knew that this was the right artist to create a master work for the Leftwich Grand Foyer.” James Von Ehr is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Zyvex Corporation. Von Ehr is recognized as a respected leader within the nanotechnology industry. His commitment to nanotechnology is evidenced by his personal contribution of $3.5 million to establish the University of Texas at Dallas NanoTech Institute. He has also endowed the James Von Ehr Distinguished Chair of Science and Technology at the University of Texas at Dallas, held by Nobel Laureate Dr. Alan G. MacDiarmid (2000 in chemistry). Von Ehr currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Nanotechnology Initiative (which he founded), the NanoBusiness Alliance, and the Executive Committee of the Metroplex Technology Business Council. He also sits on the Strategic Partners Council of Michigan State University's Computer Science and Engineering Department, the University of Texas at Dallas' Development Board and Research Advisory Board, the Editorial Advisory Board of R&D Magazine's Micro|Nano Newsletter, and the International Advisory Panel of the National University of Singapore Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Initiative. Before founding Zyvex in 1997, Von Ehr was the founder, president, chairman and CEO of Altsys Corporation, which developed FreeHand and Fontographer, the first commercially available PostScript drawing program. Altsys was sold to Macromedia in 1995, where he held a seat on the Macromedia Board of Directors for nearly four years. Von Ehr has a master's of science degree in mathematical science from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a bachelor's of science degree in computer science from Michigan State University. He was awarded Distinguished Alumni awards from both Michigan State University and the University of Texas at Dallas in October 2004. Gayla Von Ehr is a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor's of science degree mathematics. She retired from TI after 25 years designing, supporting, and managing computer aided design software for the physical design verification of integrated circuits. That group spun out from TI and joined K2 Technologies, Inc., a CAD company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mrs. Von Ehr set up and managed the Dallas office of K2 Technologies for two years before retiring. She was on the Board of Directors of Altsys Corporation, James Von Ehr's former company, which was bought by Macromedia, as well as being on the Board of Directors of a small software game development company. For the past five years, she has been actively involved with the Dallas Zoological Society and on the Executive Board of Directors. Mrs. Von Ehr has chaired the Technology Committee, the Development Committee, and currently chairs the Long Range Planning Committee. “We met Stephen at the Structured Objects and Functional Art (SOFA) show in Chicago. After seeing small size examples of his fabulous light painting works, we immediately knew that we wanted him to design a custom piece for our home. The piece was installed in June 2004. We've invited lots of people to view our spectacular piece of art and everyone has been amazed at its beauty. That is why we think that Stephen's work needs to have a place to be shared with wider audiences to view and appreciate. Having another piece installed here in Richardson where we can enjoy it frequently is a win for us as well as for others and hopefully will get Stephen more of the recognition that he deserves,” says Gayla Von Ehr, summarizing the couple's commitment to the arts and willingness to generously support the City of Richardson and the Eisemann Center. Stephen Knapp has gained an international reputation for large-scale works of art placed in public, corporate and private collections, created in media as diverse as kiln-formed, dichroic and cast glass, metal, stone, mosaic, ceramic and light. His art testifies to a strong direction in contemporary work – an artistic response to technical advancements that encourage new forms. Knapp frequently writes and lectures on architectural art glass, the collaborative process and the integration of art and architecture. Throughout Stephen Knapp's career there have been constants – a passion for his art, a curiosity for the new, a continuing research into materials and a commitment to the techniques and processes involved in executing his ideas. Knapp's work has appeared in many international publications including Art and Antiques, Architectural Record, ARTnews, Ceramics Monthly, Honoho Geijutsu, Identity, Interior Design, Interiors, Nikkei Architecture, Progressive Architecture and The New York Times. For more information on Knapp and his body of work, visit www.stephenknapp.com. “The City of Richardson wishes to thank the Von Ehrs for demonstrating their support of the city and the Eisemann Center with this generous gift. We look forward to seeing the installation of Mr. Knapp's lightpainting in the Leftwich Grand Foyer for the enjoyment of all the patrons who come to the Center for meetings and events,” said Mayor Gary Slagel. Dedicated in September 2002, the Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations is located in the Galatyn Park Urban Center of Richardson's Telecom Corridor® area. For more information on the facility or upcoming events, visit www.eisemanncenter.com. |
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