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October 23, 2009

Sedona Events: 5th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival 10/24 – 11/1

Filed under: arizona, art, art receptions, artist receptions, sedona, sedona activities, sedona art, sedona arts center, sedona az, sedona events, sedona news — Tags: sedona, sedona art, sedona az, sedona events, sedona galleries, sedona news — megan @ 5:41 pm

Betty Carr "Paint Out on Main Street" 2008

Artistic Magic is in the Air!

5^thAnnual Sedona Plein Air Festival 2009

SEDONA, Ariz. (October 15, 2009): The cool weather has arrived, the leaves are turning and thirty-two nationally-recognized plein-air artists will soon begin to paint the mystical beauty of Sedona. The spell has been cast and magic abounds.

The 5^th Annual Plein Air Festival, hosted by the Sedona Arts Center and the presenting sponsor, L’Auberge de Sedona, will still your hearts and stimulate your imagination for nine full days, beginning Oct 24 through Nov 1.

The festival provides something for everyone! Visitors and residents alike are invited to watch the artists transfer their vision of the beauty that surrounds them onto canvas or paper ~ capturing magical moments in time right before your eyes.

Sedona is a plein-air artist’s paradise with its abundance of picturesque scenes and exquisite landscapes. The ever-changing light, shadows and colors in late October, make the setting almost perfect.

The art form is not easy. Painting out-of-doors, from life, requires stamina and the ability to stay focused and completely absorbed in the work regardless of the shifting elements. The award-winning artists from around the country will spend six days painting in a variety of media to capture the unique scenes of Sedona, Jerome, Oak Creek, and the surrounding area, followed by weekend events that present the body of work created by the artists earlier in the week.

Join the excitement by watching the artists in the creative process. Four events have been planned for this purpose: Saturday, Oct 24, enjoy the Paint-out on Main Street from 2:30 – 5:00pm, sponsored by Sedona Main Street Program. Tuesday morning (7:00am), Oct 27, you will find some of the artists painting the scenes and landscape around the Sedona Heritage Museum. All day Wednesday, Oct 28, Jerome Chamber of Commerce and Jerome ArtWalk will host the artists as they paint Historic Jerome.

"Tranquil" by Clark Mitchell - Winner, Collector's Choice 2008

Then, begin the weekend on Friday morning Creekside at L’Auberge de Sedona, the Festival’s generous presenting sponsor. The artists will create paintings from start to finish in just two hours. The unique Quick Draw event, starts at exactly 10am and ends at Noon. Trolley service will be available from the Uptown City Parking Lot on Jordan and Schnebly Road.

For those who want to be more personally involved and actively participate, there are events designed especially for you. Learn about plein-air painting from the artists, or try your hand at “painting from life.”

Monday through Thursday (11am – 1pm) lunchtime lectures/demonstrations by one of the participating festival artist are offered ~ and ~ four free plein-air painting classes (two sessions each/$25 materials fee) are available. Space is limited and reservations are recommended for both the lectures and the classes (call 928-282-3809). For details and a complete schedule visit the Festival Website: www.SedonaPleinAirFestival.com.

For those who love to rub shoulders with the artists in an informal, social setting, two receptions will be held: Monday evening (6:30 – 8:00), October 26, the Arts Center will host an Opening Reception for the Artists Showcase Exhibit in the Community Gallery, presenting prior works of the 32 participating artists.

A mid-week highlight, Wednesday evening (7:00 – 8:30pm), there will be a presentation by special guest speaker, Wm Scott Jennings, a national-recognized master plein-air artist, will discuss his process in a lecture titled, Plein Air to Studio. The presentation will be followed by a wine reception in the Theatre Studio at the Arts Center.

"Side Street Surprise" by Betty Carr, 2008 Plein Air Festival

Friday, Oct 30, at 6pm, an Evening Extravaganza with the Artists will be held at L’Auberge de Sedona in the Monet Ballroom.

Those who attend will be the first to see and have the opportunity to purchase the artwork that has been created throughout the week. The evening filled with fine art, music, delicious hors d’oeuvres and fine wine in one of Sedona’s most luxurious settings is an event not to be missed! Only a few tickets are still available, so make your reservations today. Tickets are only $125.00 and can be purchased Online www.SedonaPleinAirFestival.com or by calling: 928-282-3809.

Saturday, Oct 31 (10am – 5pm) and Sunday. Nov 1 (10am – 3pm) a Public Sale and Exhibit will be held in both galleries at the Sedona Arts Center. There is no admission and everyone is invited to view and purchase the amazing, original art by the talented cadre of Festival Artists – all created during Festival Week.

All events and activities, except the Friday night Gala, are open to public and free of charge. The Sedona Arts Center campus is located in Uptown Sedona, corner of State Rte 89A and Art Barn Road.

The week-long event is made possible by an ever-growing list of Festival sponsors: L’Auberge de Sedona (presenting sponsor), Sedona-Oak Creek Chamber of Commerce, Sedona Magazine, Sedona Monthly, Sedona Red Rock News, Sedona Red Rock TV, Excentric, Sedona Trolley, KNAU Arizona Public Radio, Windrush Gallery, MacPherson ART.com, M. Graham & Co, Southwest Art Magazine, Valley Guide, and Connoisseur Art Supplies; plus a generous grant from the City of Sedona. We also want to thank our community partners whose support expands the boundaries of possibilities: Sedona Main Street Program, Jerome Chamber of Commerce, Jerome Artwalk, and Sedona Historical Society.

Special Festival Workshops are being offered by the Sedona Arts Center’s Art School in conjunction with the Festival – before, during and after. Before the Festival: Plein Air Painting in Oils, Oct 19 – 23 with Jill Carver, Artists’ Choice Award 2008. Pastel Painting in the Sedona Landscape, Oct 20 – 23 with Clark Mitchell, 2008 Festival Poster Award (2007) and Collectors’ Choice Award 2008. During the Festival: Plein Air Painting with Oils, Oct 26 – 30 with Wm Scott Jennings, Master Plein-air Artist and 2009 Festival Guest Speaker. Following the Festival: Sedona – Fall Colors (Watercolor or Oil), Nov 2 – 6 with Betty Carr, Festival Artist 2006 – 2009. Watercolor Secrets, Nov 3 – 5 and Plein Air Painting ~ One day Workshop, Nov 6 ~ both workshops led by Tom Lynch, Festival Artist 2006 – 2009. To register for a class, or for more information call (928) 282-3809, or visit www.SedonaArtsCenter.com.

Sedona Arts Center VIDEO:

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August 27, 2009

Fantastic Four at Sedona Arts Center

Filed under: sedona, sedona art, sedona arts center, sedona az, sedona events, sedona first friday, sedona galleries — megan @ 4:24 pm

The evening will be cool, the poets will be entertaining and the works of four outstanding artists will be exciting this First Friday September 4th at the Sedona Arts Center. Arrive at 4:00 pm for a delightful hour at Poets Corner in the Sculpture Garden and stay for the wine reception in the Fine Art Gallery. The Sedona Arts Center’s new September Exhibit, Nature’s Spirit, runs through September 30th, and features a wonderful mix of artists depicting the essence of nature through their unique mediums ~ Dorisanne Soyka (Gourd Art), Patricia Steele (Colored Pencils), Dawn Sutherland (Oils), and Shane McDermott (Photography).

Dorisanne Soyka was an executive secretary in Southern California for over 20 years before leaving the corporate world in 1993 to get in touch with her artistic soul. After experimenting in various media, she discovered gourds as an art form, which was an inspirational awakening. She was instantly caught up in a spiritual connection between gourds and nature and herself….a mystical connection that continues to appeal and inspire her today. Each gourd has a story to tell and guides Dorisanne in her choice of techniques to apply, whether it is painting, staining, wood burning, weaving, or all of the above! The results are whispered messages to the viewer from nature’s spirit.

Patricia Steele is a native of Michigan and moved to Arizona in the early 1970s to earn a Fine Arts Degree from Arizona State University. After working for many years as an advertising and commercial photographer, she turned her attention to nature and portrait photography. She began exploring national parks and wildlife refuges with her camera. In recent years, she has developed a passion for creating realistic and compelling likenesses of wildlife, such as bobcat, coyote, and Gambles quail - frequent visitors to her backyard in Scottsdale - always working in her favorite medium, colored pencils. Her drawings definitely have a voice of their own.

Dawn Sutherland grew up on a farm in northern Wisconsin where she developed a deep appreciation of the natural environment at an early age. A teacher and counselor most of her adult life, Dawn first began painting in 2001. Through dedicated study, she learned to communicate her love of the natural environment through oil painting. Dawn moved to Cottonwood in 2003 and has continued to refine her skills by taking classes with noted landscape painters. She particularly enjoys painting “en plein air” and is known for her exceptional ability to capture light within the shadows, providing the viewer with a sense of being in the space, and communicating the warmth and solidity of the rocks and landforms.

Shane is an award-winning nature photographer residing in Flagstaff, Arizona. His fascination with nature and particularly wildlife began at the early age of four - hours were spent drawing animals. His attraction and wonder for nature never diminished, however his means of expressing and sharing his love for it didn’t blossom until he discovered photography. The art of photographic conservation and education are now the primary driving force behind Shane’s creative visions. Through a unique combination of artistry, patience and an astonishing capacity to envision and capture the natural world on film, Shane’s images quickly attract the attention and imagination of all who view them.

Meet the artists one-on-one and enjoy free demonstrations throughout the month as each works in her medium of choice. Dorisanne ~ Sept 11th (1 to 4 pm); Patricia Steele ~ Sept 12th; 18th (11 am to 2pm); Dawn Sutherland ~ Sept 16th, 20th & 30th (1 to 3pm).

The First Friday event starts with poetry from 4:00 to 5:00pm followed by an artist reception from 5:00 to 8:00pm – no admission. Everyone is invited! It is a lovely way to spend the evening.

The Sedona Arts Center is located at the north end of Uptown Sedona, on the left just before entering Oak Creek Canyon. For more information, please call the Gallery at 928-282-3865, the Administrative Office 928-282-3809, or visit our Website at www.SedonaArtsCenter.com.

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August 13, 2009

Joanie Wolter Wins Sedona Arts Center Members Open 2009 People's Choice Award

Filed under: sedona, sedona art, sedona arts center, sedona az, sedona events, sedona galleries, sedona news — megan @ 1:56 pm

SEDONA, Ariz. (August 11, 2009 ) Joanie Wolter’s Big Ass Raven Sculpture won the People’s Choice Award during the Sedona Arts Center’s 3rd Annual Members Open Exhibition held July 3rd through July 26th . The award was determined by ballots cast by all visitors to the 3rd Annual Members Open Exhibition which ran July 3rd through July 26th in the Community Gallery. The award was presented by Shirley Eichten Albrecht, the Art Center’s Gallery Director, on August 7th, during the First Friday Reception.

The artist, Joanie Wolter, was born and reared in Southern California. She earned a degree in sociology at the University of California at Santa Barbara and a teaching credential in elementary education from Long Beach State. Most of her teaching career, which lasted 37 years, was spent working with “at risk” students in alternative educational settings.

Joanie has always been a crafter, having done knitting, crocheting, sewing, and tole painting as hobbies for years. She fell in love with mosaics after taking classes in Long Beach, where she and Charlie lived. After working with very needy students all day long, she found that going out to her workshop was a welcome respite, and offered her a sense of peace and solitude.

She discovered the Sedona Art Center shortly after their move, and took many classes before finding that ceramics was her favorite medium. As a result, she’s a regular at SAC’s ceramics studio, and has taken additional classes from guest artists, where she learned to work with paper clay. She’s always had an appreciation for the beauty of the outdoors, particularly flowers, and began making them from paper clay to embellish her hand built pieces.

Recently Joanie has taken another artistic turn and has found a new passion – sculpting. The whimsical pieces she creates reflect who she is – a little goofy and fun loving. These sculptures are made from a low-fire fiber clay which she finds gives them durability and sturdiness. Most of her “senior series” pieces are modeled after her – a full figured, middle-aged woman ready to live life to its fullest.

The winning piece was the result of Joanie’s fascination with the ravens in Sedona, which are so much larger than the ones in her native state of California. She loves to watch them soar endlessly in the sky and “make themselves heard” seemingly communicating with fellow ravens while gazing at the world from a chosen perch in trees near her home. She couldn’t resist using that fascination to create the charming winning piece, which has already been purchased. However, for your enjoyment another raven piece is currently being shown the Arts Center’s Fine Art Gallery located at the end of Uptown Sedona – on the right, just before entering Oak Creek Canyon.

She and her husband, Charlie, became full-time residents of Sedona the day after Joanie’s retirement was official in 2007 – and have not looked back. They and their three cats love the serenity and beauty that surrounds them.

This Members Open Exhibition was created in 2007 to afford all Sedona Arts Center Member Artists the opportunity to show a piece of their finest work in a non-juried exhibit. The Annual JURIED Members Exhibition is held in March. For more information on the gallery and upcoming exhibitions, please call 928-282-3865 or visit our Website at http://www.sedonaartscenter.com/.

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