Sculptors, architects and landscape architects from eight different states, coast to coast, have been selected in the first round of competition to create a tribute to international statesman and former Atlanta mayor, Andrew Young, Jr. in Downtown Atlanta.

First round selections were:

• Ed Dwight + EDAW : Denver, Colorado/Atlanta – sculptor/landscape architects
• Antonio Tobias Mendez : Knoxville, Maryland – sculptor
• Ralph Helmick, Stuart Schechter : Newton, Massachusetts – sculptors
• Grace E. La, James T. Dallman (La Dallman Architects) : Milwaukee, Wisconsin – architects/landscape architects
• Lita Albuquerque, Mitchell De Jarnett (LAMdJ) : Santa Monica, California – landscape architect/sculptor, architect
• Albert Paley : Rochester, New York – sculptor
• Curtis Patterson + EDAW : Atlanta – sculptor/landscape architects
• Jeff Varilla, Anna Koh Varilla : Chicago, Illinois – sculptors

Chosen from more than 21 initial applications, the eight semifinalists will be narrowed to four finalists by an Advisory Panel that represents diverse community interests. The final selection of a winning design will be made by a renowned jury and will be announced in March 2005.

"The chosen semifinalists have exemplary credentials for their work in the worlds of art and architecture," said A.J. Robinson, President of Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID). "Thanks to the generous support of The Loudermilk Foundation, one of these eight will have the opportunity to use their talent to honor Andy and provide an artistic insight into his place in Atlanta and the world."

According to Robinson, the foundation is providing $2 million for the development and installation of the tribute in Downtown Atlanta. "The site currently under discussion fronts directly on Andrew Young, Jr. International Boulevard, on the main corridor connecting the hotel district and Centennial Olympic Park," said Robinson.

"In our role, CAP is managing the competition process by working with the City of Atlanta, the competition entrants, the Advisory Panel and jury during the different stages of the competition. Paul Kelman, CAP’s Executive Vice President, and Diane Harnell-Cohen, the City of Atlanta’s Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, are leading the effort for CAP and the City. In addition, we have a strong Advisory Panel comprised of artists, educators, curators, business people and government officials, who are in touch with Atlanta and our history," said Robinson.

Participating as jury members are:

• Benjamin Forgey, Hon. AIA - The Washington Post, Washington, D.C.
• Ed Hamilton - Edward Hamilton Studios, Louisville, KY
• Amy Landesberg, AIA - Amy Landesberg Architects, Decatur, GA
• M. David Lee, FAIA - Stull & Lee, Boston, MA
• Nimrod Long III, FASLA - Nimrod Long & Associates, Birmingham, AL
• Ivenue Love-Stanley, FAIA -Stanley Love-Stanley, Architects, Atlanta
• Cynthia Jones Parks - Jones Worley, Atlanta