The hallways of the Capitol Annex are vibrant with art, as "Kentucky Visions at the Capitol" is on exhibit through March 30.
The annual Kentucky Arts Council exhibit features 56 pieces of artwork by 20 Kentucky artists, including three Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship recipients and 17 artists in the Kentucky Crafted program. The works displayed have met the arts council's criteria of artistic excellence as judged by independent panels of arts professionals.
Artists invited to participate in the exhibit are adjudicated members of the arts council's Kentucky Crafted program or are recipients of an Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship Award or Governor's Award in the Arts. The exhibit is open to the public.
"This exhibit has become a favorite attraction among legislators and staffers at the Capitol Annex," said Lori Meadows, arts council executive director. "Kentucky Visions really showcases the breadth and depth of talent among Kentucky artists."
Fiber artist Philis Alvic has had work hanging in every year of the Kentucky Visions exhibit, and said she thinks it is important for state lawmakers to be surrounded by artwork by Kentuckians during the legislative session.
"I love that the art is on each floor in the annex because it means legislators will see real art done by Kentuckians," said Alvic, who is a 1996 Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship recipient. "Bringing art to them is enriching their lives in something they may not have known to personally seek out."
Most of the artwork on exhibit is available for purchase. For more information about an artist, or to purchase a piece, contact Kate Sprengnether at the arts council (502) 564-3757, ext. 471.
The 20 artists represented in the exhibit, their media and county of residence are:
Marianne Brown, ceramics, Anderson
Matthew Albritton, photography, Campbell
Philis Alvic, fibers, Fayette
Linda Fugate-Blumer, photography, Fayette
Elsie Harris, acrylic on canvas, Fayette
Shirley Jeter, watercolor, Fayette
Christine Kuhn, acrylic, Fayette
Carl McKinley, watercolor, Hardin
Kathleen Conroy, scratchboard, Henry
Patricia Brock, photography, Jefferson
Katie Burke, pastel on board, Jefferson
Robert Jackson, mixed media, Jefferson
Judy Rosati, photography, Jefferson
Mark Priest, acrylic, Jefferson
Timothy Gold, acrylics, Kenton
Dean Hill, photography, Morgan
Gary Mesa-Gaido, photography, Rowan
Bruce Frank, photography, Scott
Alexey Stiop, photography, Scott
Laverne Zabielski, fibers, Wayne
View a slideshow of the exhibit online at: http://artscouncil.ky.gov/KentuckyArt/Visions2015.htm
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, fosters environments for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
(story provided by Kentucky Arts Council)
