Dave was recently selected as the recipient of the prestigious Work of Art Award, presented by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.

One of the highest recognitions that can be bestowed on an individual artist in Western Pennsylvania, the Working Artist Award recognizes an individual artist who has demonstrated exceptional innovation, boldness and creativity in advancing their art form. In presenting the Award, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council recognized Dave “as a leading promoter and practitioner of the Cracow Szopka art form in the United States, whose individual works, student workshops, szopka exhibitions and cultural events have shown tremendous leadership, innovation and drive in promoting his Pittsburgh-based initiative.”

The Award was presented on Monday, June 1 at gala ceremonies at the Pittsburgh Opera’s new building in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.

Linking Two Continents

Dave’s work is extremely well respected both within the Polish-American community as well as in Poland. His close collaborations with both the Polish Embassy in Washington, D. C. and such institutions as the City of Cracow History Museum, demonstrate the impact of his sustained commitment to serving as a positive representative of Pittsburgh and the regional arts community.

Promoting Cultural Diversity

As the cultural and artistic achievements of Poles have been significantly underrepresented in American cultural life, Dave has used this project to help instill a sense of pride in the regional Polish-American community, while sharing it with individuals from other backgrounds. Hence, the high caliber of his programs has set a new high standard for the ethnic community. He has also striven to extend his art project beyond the boundaries of the Polish-American community, to make it non-sectarian and multi-cultural. He emphasizes the historic and architectural aspects of the art form, welcoming individuals of all backgrounds. An indication of the high regard in which he and his work are held, Dave was selected as the 2006 Polonian of the Year by the Polish American Congress, Western Pennsylvania Division.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cracow creches: Students re-create Polish art form with a Christmas theme
Saturday, December 10, 2005

Martha Rial, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
[PHOTO: Martha Rial, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

One of several szopkas made by David Motak, instructor of the Cracow Creche Workshop. While living in Cracow for two years, he studied with masters of this centuries-old folk art form.... [click to read more]

Creche course: Students learn about Polish culture by making folk craft
Monday, November 24, 2008

By Dan Majors, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette

Jarek Wlodarczyk and his daugher, Ella, 4, of Lower Burrell, begin to wrap wood pieces in colored foil paper to build their szopka, also know as a Cracow Creche,
yesterday at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum.[click here to read the article as a PDF]