Kimberly Alvis Presents "Open Sky Art: An Event, An Exhibit"

May 13, 2009 - PRLog -- (CHAPEL HILL, NC) --  Chapel Hill artist Kimberly Alvis will present “Open Sky Art -- An Event, An Exhibit” in June. On Sunday, June 7, Alvis will host an “en plein air” painting session in her own gardens. By the end of the day, work completed during the painting session will be included in a special exhibit (location to be announced) that will run into July 12, spanning possibly two Second Friday Art Walks.

Joseph Rowand, the celebrated owner and curator of Somerhill Gallery in Durham, will serve as judge for the Open Sky Art exhibit, selecting a first, second, and third-place winner. The first-place winner will receive a cash prize.

“En plein air” painting – French for “in the open air” -- challenges artists to create works outside of their studios, using what they see and feel around them in the land- or streetscape as inspirations for their work. During the Open Sky Art event, participating artists will have Kimberly Alvis’ lush gardens, backyard pond and parade of ducks as potential subjects.

Alvis frequently participates in plein air painting sessions through PAINT NC and Outdoor Painters in Graham, and she recently hosted a small painting session in her gardens through PAINT NC.

“I love plein air painting myself,” Alvis said, “especially this time of year.”

Open Sky Art -- the event and exhibit -- arose from her desire to attract more artists to the process of outdoor painting, to expose their work to a greater audience, and to give participating artists a chance to have their work seen by an expert of Rowand’s caliber.

“I’m delighted that Joe has agreed to serve as our judge,” said Alvis, who is represented by Somerhill Gallery.

Alvis will announce the exhibition location prior to the painting session.

Artists who participate must bring all of their own supplies and prepare their paintings for hanging prior to the exhibit. Rowand will determine the top three winners after the exhibit is mounted.

As the host and sponsor of Open Sky Art, Alvis will not paint during the event or include her work in the judging process, but she will hang a completed painting in the exhibit.

Artists must register to participate in Open Sky Art: An Event, An Exhibit. Registration forms are available for download only on Alvis’ website: www.alvisart.com.

Alvis’ publicist, Kim Weiss of blueplate pr in Raleigh, is assisting in the event and exhibit and can answer any questions. She can be contacted at kim@bluplacenc.com; 919-272-8615.

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About Kimberly Alvis: Kimberly Alvis is an accomplished artist represented in the Triangle area of North Carolina by Somerhill Gallery in Durham and the Little Art Gallery & Craft Collection in Raleigh. To see more of her work, visit www.alvisart.com.