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Jack Down Book Signing at Mattison's City Grille Contact Name: Caryn Hodge Contact Email: carynh@mattisons.com Contact Phone Number: 941-713-3105 Mattison’s City Grille to Host National Artist and Author Jack Dowd for Book Signing and Conversation March 7th, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Mattison’s City Grille Sarasota, FL (February 16, 2021) – Jack Dowd has made a name for himself as one of America’s foremost artists and sculptors. His series of life-sized figures, ranging from well-known celebrities to locally known folks, take on an affectionately satiric interpretation that is unmistakably Jack Dowd. These unique creations have been viewed in museums and galleries nationwide. Jack has been recognized by Who’s Who in American Art and his work has been collected by private, public, and corporate patrons from Florida to Australia. Crossing over from artist to author, Jack Dowd has put down his sculpting tools and picked up a pen to write his first book, “Illuminating the Human Condition”. Without giving too much away, his first foray into the writing world is about…. Join us at Mattison’s City Grille on March 7th from 3-5 pm for a book signing and conversation with local celebrity, national artist and now, published author, Jack Dowd. Jack Dowd’s infatuation with the arts began early. He was born in New York in 1938 and as a young person growing up in the 1940’s and 50’s, he enjoyed many of the advantages of being in the exciting art capital of the Post-War world. In addition to the exuberant experience of exploring the new ideas of the avant-garde art produced in the city, Dowd attributes the influence of the great American films of that day with igniting his imagination and firing his quest for adventure. In his early career, Dowd pursued employment that enabled him to travel and he chose both exotic and not so exotic places for his work. The experience of meeting and working with many different people helped him develop an insight into the human psyche that serves today to allow him to endow his sculpted figures with humor, sensitivity, pathos, satire and even hubris. Dowd has been invited for solo exhibitions by many museums and art centers across the country including: Florida State Museum of Fine Art; Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art; Irving Art Center, TX; Westbend Museum, WI; and the Walton Art Center, AR. His show at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, FL drew 40,000 visitors and the opening was the best attended in the museum’s history. The family tradition, however, begins at home in the artist’s private studio, “Moon River,” located in Sarasota, FL. He lives and works closely with his family in a studio and home designed in the 70’s by Tollyn Twitchell of the Florida School of Architecture. The natural ambience of his home and the faith and devotion of his family provides the harmony and order so necessary to his creative success. “Each day I reach deep within myself to continue my journey to create art that, as in the movies, is larger than life.” Jack’s latest project has him crossing genres from art to authorship but still using the creative influences that have made him so successful throughout his life. For more information on Jack Dowd and to view his work visit http://jackdowd.com/ For more information on Mattison’s visit https://mattisons.com/ Mattison’s is a chef-owned restaurant and catering company with three restaurants throughout Sarasota and Bradenton that focus on presenting all-natural, antibiotic and hormone free, fresh, sustainable ingredients, innovative cuisine, and exceptional service while supporting small family farmers, culinary suppliers, and the community on Florida’s Gulf Coast. All three Mattison’s offer outside dining, live music, fun happy hours and creative menus.