Jack Bledsoe has participated in three public art competitions and exhibitions. In 2000, Jack’s “Fish and Chips” was displayed in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor area as part of the City’s “Fish Out of Water” show.  In 2002, the Washington D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities sponsored “Party Animals,” which showcased the talents and creativity of area artists in decorating the two symbols of our nation’s democracy, elephants and donkeys. Several pictures below feature his contribution – with Thomas Spande, one of his former students – to that show, “Donkey Xote.”

     The photo of the artist in black leather next to the donkey was taken the night of the grand opening reception for the show, held in the vacant Woodward and Lothrop Department Store building in downtown D.C. that was awaiting restoration. Some of the other photos depict Jack’s “Donkey Xote” on public display in the Georgetown area of D.C., where it was stationed until it was purchased at auction.

     In 2004, the D.C. Arts Commission sponsored a second citywide public art project featuring giant pandas in recognition of the phenomenal popularity of pandas since the arrival of Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing at the National Zoo in 1972. Jack’s entry in the competition for “PandaMania,” was among a handful chosen to take life first as marquets, or much smaller versions of the life-size final figures.

     One of the pictures below shows the resulting miniature of Jack’s “Perennial Panda” while others show the larger figure covered with a dazzling array of colorful flowers. “Perennial Panda” was displayed on Connecticut Avenue near the zoo, by the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, until it was purchased at auction.

     All proceeds from these public art auctions were invested back to provide artists’ grants, arts education and other projects to promote the arts.