Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition
Big Red Barn Gallery at Lareau Farm Inn
Waitsfield, VT
Through July 28, 2013
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“High Wall” by Robert O’Brien (Perkinsville, Vt.) |
“As curator, I’ve dreamed of bringing a watercolor exhibition to the Valley for a long time,” said Gary Eckhart, watercolor artist and President of the Valley Arts Foundation. “This is our first step in a five-year process to create a nationally recognized show that brings the highest quality artwork from around the country to the Mad River Valley. This is a good start, with paintings from Vermont, New York, Illinois and Georgia on display.” The concept of a major exhibition originated in March 2012 when the Valley Arts Foundation hosted a watercolor show by eight regional artists at the Festival Gallery.
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| “Cast of Thousands” by Peter Huntoon (Middletown Springs, Vt.) |
Watercolor paintings, long considered the lesser medium to oil paintings are now highly desired by collectors and museums. Refinements in pigments have created a brilliance and depth in colors that are as striking and permanent as those in the oil medium. Watercolor is used “to transform mundane, everyday scenes into beautiful works of art,” says Robert O’Brien, internationally recognized watercolor artist. Mr. O’Brien’s work emphasizes ordinary images that are transformed through the interplay of light and shadow.
Jeanne Carbonetti, from Chester, Vermont is the Juror of Awards and is internationally recognized as a watercolor artist and author of six books on painting. Over $1,000 in prize money and merchandise will be awarded ranging from $100 to $500, including Best of Show, sponsored by the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce. Other awards include the President’s Award, the Board of Director’s Award, the Moosewalk Studios and Gallery Award, the Nancy and Jess Mobley Award and the Big Red Barn Art Show Award. Holbein Artists Materials has contributed a merchandise award. In addition, visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite painting for the People’s Choice Award.
A new concept for competitive shows, the Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition includes a Small Works Show. Participating artists have been given the opportunity to show an additional, smaller painting in a side gallery. The paintings are priced and sized for the beginning collector or for anyone who wishes to own a beautiful piece of art.
The Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition would not exist without the tremendous support of our corporate partner, Lareau Farm, home of American Flatbread and a generous grant from the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce Marketing-Events Fund.
The Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition is located at the Big Red Barn Gallery at Lareau Farm in Waitsfield, Vermont and is open Thursdays through Sundays from 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m. For more information go to www.vermontartfest.com or contact the Valley Arts Foundation at 802-496-6682 / info@vermontartfest.com.
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Images: (Top) “High Wall” by Robert O’Brien, Perkinsville, Vermont
(Bottom) “Cast of Thousands” by Peter Huntoon, Middletown Springs, Vermont
