The La Grande Arts Commission will host the 26th Annual Season\u2019s Faire on Saturday, November 3, 2012, in Loso Hall on the campus of Eastern Oregon University.\u00a0 Over forty area artists will be exhibiting their work in the Nightingale Gallery and competing for $1,000 in prize money, donated by Patrick McCarthy, MD, Mountain Valley Therapy, Union Wallowa Baker Federal Credit Union and Fortis Construction. In addition, Juror Jessica Riva Cooper, Visiting Assistant Professor of Ceramics at EOU and internationally recognized Canadian artist, will select a number of Honorable Mention Awards.\u00a0 All art will be available for purchase the evening of the event.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Featured Artist is Linda Peterson. Peterson grew up in Burns and has drawn and painted from a very young age. She attended\u00a0Eastern Oregon University where she majored in\u00a0Education with Art as a secondary degree and taught for many years before becoming an Artist-in-Education.<\/p>\n
Peterson along with Jan Clark, Sue Orlaske and Denise Elizabeth Stone form the Batik Convergence group. The group is dedicated to exploring batik watercolor which is a method of painting with watercolors on handmade papers using beeswax to create a resist for the paint. Peterson, both individually and as a member of the group, has exhibited widely and won numerous awards for\u00a0her painting including Best of Show at the 3rd annual Union County Arts and Culture Center exhibit.\u00a0 Peterson has generously donated one of her signature batik watercolors to be this year\u2019s main raffle piece.<\/p>\n
\u201cLinda is an extremely productive and generous artist who has participated in Season\u2019s Faire since its inception,\u201d said Cory Peeke, Vice Chair of the Arts Commission and Director of the Nightingale Gallery. Linda\u2019s playful work \u201cCurtain Time\u201d is sure to be a hit with the auction attendees.<\/p>\n
The other participating artists have each donated a piece of their work, which will be auctioned to the public, beginning at 7:30 pm.\u00a0 The auction pieces may be previewed from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the Loso Hall lobby outside the Nightingale Gallery.<\/p>\n
Hors d\u2019oeuvres and exquisite desserts created by local culinary experts will be served throughout the evening.\u00a0 There will be a no-host wine bar as well as coffee and punch available.<\/p>\n
Funds raised from this event benefit the annual Arts for All <\/em>festival, a children\u2019s day of hands-on art experiences offered at no cost.\u00a0 Children can experiment with painting, printmaking, pottery, music, weaving, theater and many other types of art.\u00a0 Held the third weekend in April, Friday is reserved for children with special needs while Saturday is open to everyone.\u00a0 It is estimated that as many as 500 children participate each year.<\/p>\n Tickets are $15 if purchased in advance or $20 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at Sunflower Books, Mitre\u2019s Touch Art Gallery and the EOU Bookstore or by calling Minnie Tucker at 962-1352, Ext. 201.<\/p>\n