Waterfowl Festival Announces Idaho Sculptor Ken Newman as 2014 Featured Artist

CAMBRIDGE, Idaho - Sept. 30, 2014 - PRLog -- The Waterfowl Festival is proud to announce Sculptor, Ken Newman as its 2014 Featured Artist,. Newman, accompanied by partner, Debbie, and yellow lab, Emma, has been exhibiting at the Festival for the past seven years in the Sculpture Pavilion on Harrison Street and is a “fan favorite” among Festival visitors and art buyers.

“We are thrilled to be working with Ken Newman his year,” commented Judy Price, the past Waterfowl Festival Executive Director. “He is an amazingly talented artist and has a deep understanding of the Festival’s spirit and conservation mission. We couldn’t be happier to welcome him back to Easton this November as our Featured Artist.”

The Idaho-based sculptor recognized his artistic talent at an early age, but didn’t pursue art until an independent study in woodcarving was necessary to satisfy credits for his undergraduate degree. He hasn’t looked back since and now works in bronze in addition to wood sculpture.

After working and raising a family in California, Ken and Debbie decided to sell their home and “sculpt on the road” to share Ken’s work with a broader audience. For the past 15 years, Ken, Debbie and Emma travel about 30,000 miles a year across the U.S. and have found the people and the stories they encounter to be the biggest blessing and artistic inspiration – The Waterfowl Festival being one of their favorite stops along the way.

“From the first day I attended this festival 7 years ago, the spirit of Easton impressed me,” said Newman. “If you have ever attended this event, one can only marvel at the community coming together through volunteerism for a greater good. Thousands of new and generational volunteers organize this annual event throughout the Easton community to use art and the area’s heritage to facilitate the education and funding of conservation efforts for a healthier Chesapeake Bay.”

Among many other accolades, Newman has been selected several times for the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Birds in Art Exhibition and Tour and also has a piece in their permanent collection. His pieces appear in museums, private homes and corporate offices throughout the U.S.  Newman is a member of the National Sculpture Society, National Sculptors Guild, Society of Animal Artists, Allied Artists of America and Audubon Artists, Inc.

2014 Featured Artwork: Confluence of Blue

As Featured Artist, Newman has created the sculpture, Confluence of Blue, a bronze that depicts Great Blue Herons gathered around a White Oak. The piece was inspired by and created especially for the Waterfowl Festival.

"This sculpture expresses my reverence for nature and admiration of the Waterfowl Festival and its Chesapeake communities,” comments Newman. “In creating Confluence of Blue, the heron rookery became the metaphor for the Festival and what it takes in coming together for the greater good - to build a stronger community and a healthier Chesapeake Bay. Central to the theme stands the great White Oak with its deep roots suggesting the strength, history and enduring spirit of the community. Around the base of the tree, herons have gathered joined to one another and all connected to the tree, the community.  I came to understand they reflected six important elements of life itself; focus - perseverance - celebration - relationships - success and gracious generosity. This is the Waterfowl Festival."

Confluence of Blue is available ina bronze edition of 11. The first in the edition will be unveiled at the 2014 Waterfowl Festival and will feature a unique base made with wood  representing the Chesapeake Bay region. In addition to this Signature Sculpture, two miniature editions, Focus and Unity, featuring one and two herons, respectively, will each be available in editions of 22. For more information about Confluence of Blue and the miniatures, visit www.waterfowlfestival.org, call 410-822-4567.

About the Waterfowl Festival

Waterfowl Festival Inc., a partner of Waterfowl Chesapeake Inc., is dedicated to wildlife conservation, the promotion of wildlife art, and the celebration of life on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The 44^th Festival will be held November 13-16, 2014 in historic Easton, MD. General admission tickets are $15 for all three days and VIP packages are also available.