MEET THE ARTISTS - OPEN HOUSE

MEET THE ARTISTS - OPEN HOUSE

The Blank Canvas Gallery and Education Center in Park Rapids is continuing their Featured Artist and Guest Artist programs for their 2012 season. They are hosting an open house reception for well known area resident and artist June House, May Featured Artist, and Dawn Rossbach and Tiffany Besonen, guest artists, on Friday, May 4th from 5 to 7 PM.

June house is the featured artist for the month of May. In addition, BCG is presenting Tiffany Besonen and Dawn Rossbach; two area school art teachers, as guest artists. All three will have their artwork displayed at the open house and throughout the month of May. Each artist has their own style, subject preferences and medium preferences. BCG tries to show a wide variety of artwork so the viewing public may have the pleasure of seeing different artists’ work that they may otherwise not have the opportunity to appreciate.

At the open House reception plan to enjoy refreshments and mingle with June, other BCG artist members and guest artists at the gallery, 311 Main Ave. S. in downtown Park Rapids on Friday, May 4th from 5-7 PM.

The subjects and styles of June’s artwork are varied. See a selection of her paintings, including pieces not shown before, displayed at the gallery. A portrait reminds one of Robert Henri’s portrait works from the early 20th Century while a landscape is much freer and expressive in its presentation. Much of June’s work is done in watercolors but she also works in other mediums including oils and acrylics. Find out what her inspiration is and how her experiences as an artist have influenced her life and work.

Guest artist Dawn Rossbach is a painter, mixed media artist and print maker. She is showing a selection of her artwork that will prove to broaden one’s art enjoyment experience. Recently Dawn has been utilizing gold leaf application in many of her works – inspired by medieval illuminated painting she saw while traveling through Spain a few years ago.

Tiffany Besonen is BCG’s other guest artist in May. This is what she has to say about herself and her art.

“I grew up on a sheep farm in North-Central Minnesota , a perfect place for exploring, making messes, and eventually making art. As an artist, I work intuitively with images and materials to create narratives that delve into the subconscious, and often surface with unexpected, yet somehow familiar metaphors. My most recent work has surfaced with sheep, pear, and bird images with acrylic paint on canvas.”

Tiffany’s artwork will challenge the viewer to greater depths of personal awareness in art appreciation.

Featured artist June House and the guest artists, Dawn Rossbach and Tiffany Besonen have unique and interesting artwork on display at BCG. This is a wonderful opportunity for the public to see something different, ask questions of the artists and learn more about the artwork that is created by the many talented artists in the region. Visitors may even be inspired to dig out their old, forgotten art materials and start creating again themselves.

It’s always free, fun and inspiring to visit:

Blank Canvas Gallery and Education Center

311 Main Ave. S.

Park Rapids, MN 56470 218-237-5112 http://www.blankcanvasgallery.org

"This activity is funded in whole or in part by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature Arts, and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on November 4, 2008."