"The Man," Best in Show, by Thelma Wyatt
KINGSPORT, TN -- Art lovers enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, art demonstrations, and an award ceremony at the opening reception of the Kingsport Art Guild's 60th Anniversary Members Exhibit. The exhibit, sponsored by the Eastman Credit Union, will run through Oct. 23, 2009, at the Renaissance Center's Main Art Gallery, 1200 E. Center St., Kingsport.
Thelma Wyatt of Kingsport won best in show for her painting "The Man," Ann Vachon of Kingsport won second place with "Cellar Life," and Betty O'Neil of Kingsport took third with "Angel Oak." High school students Anna Forester and Aubrey Baker won awards for their work, and awards of merit went to Carmen Trumbetta, Nancy Bilbro, Brenda Bundrant, Mary Alice Kelly, Leslie Davis, and Diane Nelson.
Professor and painter Perry Johnson (Virginia Intermont College) judged the exhibit.
The demonstrations and bin sales continue on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and Saturdays from 1–4 p.m. for the duration of the exhibit. Visitors can observe and chat with the artists about their materials and processes, and the artists will be happy to give guided tours of the exhibit. Demonstrations will include pencil drawing, acrylic paint, collage, colored pencil, monotype, and mixed fiber media.
The Renaissance Center's Main Art Gallery is open Mon. through Fri. from 8:30 a.m. TO 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.–approximately 2 p.m. The Renaissance Center is closed on city holidays. Visitors are welcome in the gallery during all regular hours.
The not-for-profit Kingsport Art Guild (KAG) was founded by a small group of art enthusiasts in 1949. A volunteer-run organization, the KAG maintains an office, the gallery, and a classroom in the Renaissance Center, 1200 East Center Street, near downtown Kingsport. Although the guild does not maintain regular office hours, e-mail messages and phone messages that clearly include a phone number are returned promptly.
Through the KAG, local artists offer a variety of public art classes for adults and children at the Renaissance Center, including a series of free 60th anniversary "Art Discovery" workshops that take place on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information or to register for classes pick up a flyer at the Renaissance Center, visit www.kingsportartguild.com, or call 423-246-1227 and leave a message.
