Fine art by fine island folks is finally affordable.
The Artists of South Whidbey will hold their annual fine art show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, June 29 through July 1 at the Island County Fairgrounds Fine Arts Building.
The show will also include a silent auction of collaborative art, with proceeds targeted for the artists’ scholarship fund for high school artists.
The collaborative art auction features paintings that have been started by one artist and finished by another. Organizers of the show said these modified, newly-inspired pieces have become beautiful, extraordinarily successful works of art without an extraordinarily expensive price tag.
The show will feature 27 members of Artists of South Whidbey, some of whom will demonstrate their artistic techniques.
Wendy Lee Lynds will be painting watercolor cards, Ray Fisler will be working with sprayed enamel and Marge Whitfield and Norma Boland will work their magic with pastels. (See info box for dates and times of demonstrations.)
Celebrating its 33rd year, Artists of South Whidbey’s goal is to encourage members at all levels of artistry. There are no requirements to join the group, and members range in age from about 50 to 90, with quite a few professional artists as members.
The group has roughly 40 or so artists, who work in a wide variety of styles and mediums of two-dimensional art, including watercolors, acrylics, oils, pastels and mixed-media.
“The whole idea is to be supportive,” said member Marge Whitfield. “You need input and you need stimulation; it’s the exchange of ideas that keeps you going.”
Beginning artist Judith Burns is enthusiastic about having found the group and the chance to have a show.
“It’s a chance to stay involved in the art world,” Burns said. “Galleries are quite hard to get into and this show gives you an entry and you learn how to frame and present your work.”
The group meets once a month and invites professional artists from the area to give demonstrations in various mediums. They also encourage members to participate in a variety of exercises, such as “plein air” painting in the month of August, and the opportunity to have their members’ work featured on greeting cards that are sold in local shops.
This year’s show will feature original works, as well as some giclees — the newest technology in digital printing.
Visitors to the exhibit will also find a unique selection of handmade greeting cards and, overall, a wide selection of fine art at affordable prices.
“The show is family friendly and affordable,” said artist Ginny O’Neill. “It’s a good place to buy a painting.”
Admission to the event is free.
Patricia Duff can be reached at 221-5300 or pduff@southwhidbeyrecord.com.
INFO BOX
Technique Demonstrations
Wendy Lee Lynds, painting watercolor cards, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 29.
Ray Fisler, working with sprayed enamel, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 30.
Marge Whitfield, pastels, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 30. Norma Boland, pastel, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, July 1.
