"Sherwood Forest" Plein Air Painting Competition is a complete success.
July 29, 2005
The "Sherwood Forest Plein Air Painting Competition" held July 20 through 23, 2005, brought 40 artists together to create personal interpretations of the renowed Bidwell Park in Chico, California. The nationally advertised event concluded with both a silent and a live auction on the grounds of Hotel Diamond.
Lana Rak's competition paintings were fully sold out. Overall, 40
of the 76 competition paintings were sold.
"Chico is blossoming. I truly believe its best days are ahead and that art is part of this," said Wayne Cook, owner with Carol Cook of the recently renovated Diamond Hotel. "The Plein Air event is of such a high caliber that I think it could be a highly acclaimed annual event. It's part of many exciting things that are happening to renovate the downtown - the renovation of the park, the opening of the hotel and several other efforts underway. We are pleased to support it."
July 2005 marks the centennial of Annie Bidwell's gift of Bidwell Park to the city of Chico and the whole town came together to celebrate the event.
"Chico is hot, literally", says Lana Rak. "I was very happy to be selected as one of the competing artists for this event and I am especially grateful to Maria Phillips and Dolores Mitchell of the Avenue 9 Gallery for all the effort and tender care they put into making this event a complete success."
About Lana Rak
Lana Rak is a member of the Oil Painters of America and Northwest Watercolor Society. Her artwork has won Third Prize at the 2004 National Exhibition Impact Artists' Gallery in Buffalo, New York, Grand Prize at the Art Experience Art21 Gallery in Palo Alto, California. In 2003 she was honored as the recipient of a scholarship from the American Society of Portrait Artists. Lana studied art at the Republican School of Art of Schevchenko in Kiev, Ukraine, Langara College in Vancouver, Canada and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where she is currently studying for an MFA. Lana lives in Fremont, California.
About Avenue 9 Gallery
Avenue 9 Gallery is known for its numerous projects and well organized events in Chico, California. The gallery positions itself as "Chico's place for art and conversation".
For more information please contact:
Lana RakArtist's website: http://www.lanarak.com
Please see website for contact information
Maria Phillips
Avenue 9 Gallery
Tel: (530) 879-1821
180 E. 9th Ave, suite 3
Chico, CA 95926