For immediate release
Contact: Karen Vernon/Artists Changing Tomorrow (ACT)
979-249-4119 or 305-389-9748
kvernonart@aol.com
www.artguildtexas.org
www.act4art.org
Keeping the Arts in Texas--100 Artists Act
The works of over one hundred artists from three foreign countries, two continents and fifteen states will be auctioned off on Saturday, March 20, 2010, to benefit Artists Changing Tomorrow or ACT. The ACT International Invitational 2010 is a project of the nonprofit Art Guild of Rural Texas based in Fayetteville, Texas.
Artists from as far away as England and South America have contributed original works for the auction. American artists from fifteen states have also contributed. Works will include traditional media such as oils, acrylic and watercolor paintings as well as photography, fiber art, metalwork and ceramics.
ACT is the inspiration of internationally known Texas artist, Karen Vernon. Vernon, herself, has been painting since childhood and earned her degree in art education. After teaching for several years, she began her career as a watercolorist full time. Now, after a 40-year career in the arts, Vernon contributes much of her success in life to her early childhood experiences in the visual arts and music. “In the face of ever-shrinking funds allotted to the arts in schools and communities, I decided artists of today must act to support programs which nurture the environment needed for the artists of tomorrow.”
Ms. Vernon is ecstatic about the artists’ responses to her request for original art for the auction. “I invited 120 known professional artists from around the country and abroad to donate a 12” x 12” original art piece. These are professional artists who exhibit and sell their work in galleries and are established in many public collections. Of the 120 professional artists asked, 102 artists said yes. The response and support from artists has been incredible.”
Some of the well-known artists include Florida artist, Dean Mitchell whose watercolors and oil paintings are found in some of the most notable collections. Mitchell generously participated stating he was “glad to be a part of anything that encourages a deeper appreciation of the arts.” Margaret Roseman and Linda Kemp, highly collected watercolorists from Canada, enthusiastically joined forces with the US artists. David Poxon, watercolorist from the UK and Bernard Mendoza from England and the US came on board with avid support and contributions to the cause. Mendoza is an internationally known reportage photographer, with works in US museums and the National Portrait Gallery in London and in Scotland. When he heard of the ACT project, he stated, “There is no more important project with which to be aligned.”
“Our short range goal for ACT is to raise funds for Texas arts programs. Our long range goal is for ACT to inspire other communities around the country and the world to create their own ACT programs, too.”
The public is invited to attend and to bid on the pieces. All proceeds benefit Artists Changing Tomorrow or ACT, a program of the Art Guild of Rural Texas, a 501 C3 non-profit organization.
The art will be on display for previewing at The Gallery at Round Top, TX, from March 17, 2010, to March 19, 2010. The silent auction itself will be from 4 PM to 9 PM on Saturday, March 20. The Gallery is located at 203 East Austin Street in Round Top, Texas. The phone number is 979-249-4119 for more details. Reservations for the auction are required.
Catalogs from the show are available for $65. Contact: info@artguildtexas.org
More information is available on the artists and their artwork is available at:
www.act4art.org
www.artguildtexas.org
