Ibiyinka at the end of a long evening!

Ibiyinka had his reception here at The Art Gallery November 23rd and we have never seen such a great reception to an artist! Close to 150 people, local and otherwise, decended upon the art gallery for an evening of African fare, contact with the artist, his prints sold well and the children of Stowe Elementary School showed their work also. Thanks to all who came and had fun!  Perhaps we will have the pleasure and honor of Ibiyinksa's presence again when he has the time during his world tour. Until then, please check out Ibiyinka's website and some images here of the reception and some young art and poetry!

The Arts ambassador for Nigeria, Mr. Ibiyinka Alao, will be visiting the state of Vermont from Saturday the 14th to Monday the 23rd of November 2009.

Alao, in 2001, became the first-place winner of the prestigious United Nations International Art Competition among 61 countries. His paintings are currently in the United States on tour. They have been exhibited at the Indianapolis Art Center, the Martin Luther King Art Center, the Nigerian Consulate and Nigerian Embassy, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Cultures, the New York University Brownstone Salon and the United Nations headquarters. Alao has spoken at universities all over the United States including New York University, Harvard Business School, and Florida State University. His presentation focuses on contemporary African life and how that translates into his artwork. Alao’s work celebrates diversity and he speaks about
achieving peace through creativity and expression. His presentation combines a display of his art with lecture and question and answer.

His partial itinerary is as follows:
• Saturday Nov.14th: Arrive in Vermont
• Sunday Nov. 15th: Speak at the Congregational Church in Stowe, Visit The Art Gallery in Stowe.
• Monday Nov. 16th: Lecture at Burlington High School
• Tuesday Nov. 17th: Lecture/workshop at Central Vermont Academy, Barre, VT and Pacem learning Community, Montpelier, VT
• Wednesday Nov. 18th: Lecture/Workshop at Johnson Elementary School (AM) and Vermont Studio Center (PM), Johnson, VT
• Thursday Nov.19th: Lecture/Workshop at Orchard Valley Waldorf School, East Montpelier,VT
• Friday Nov. 20th: Lecture/Workshop at Stowe Elementary School and Stowe Middle School.
• Saturday Nov. 21st: Reception with African community in Vermont.
• Sunday Nov. 22nd: To be determined
• Monday Nov. 23rd: Exhibit/Reception “One Night of Grace” at The Art Gallery in Stowe(PM)
• Tuesday Nov. 24th:Depart Stowe(AM)

 More about Mr. Ibiyinka Alao at www.ibiyinka.com

3 Day Plein Air Workshop with artist Jack Liberman.

October 16, 17 & 18

Affordable B&B style rooms available.

"I paint using many of the techniques of the old masters, just as in the 17th century. I use mediums and amber and oil painting varnishes based on lost Flemish polymerized recipes that have recently been rediscovered by Donald Fels . These are the same close recipes used by Rubens, Van Dyke, Rembrandt and most painters of that time. These mediums allow for unsurpassed drawing in paint and speed of application. The luminosity of color and optical effects equal the quality of the old masters techniques, which I find are far superior to present day commercial products. I also grind my pigments for much of my portrait and studio work.

I earned a BFA in painting from Kent State University where I was honored as “ best draftsman.” I went on to study for two years at the Art Students League of NY with Frank Mason , Everett Raymond Kinstler and Ivan Olinsky— all noted members of the National Academy. I also studied landscape painting in Vermont and Maine with Frank Mason for nine months."

We are pleased to be showing Stowe artist and illustrator, Holly Sierra, with her gorgeous, colorful goddess paintings.

 Holly Sierra's illustrations speak of that which is visually enchanting with particular attention to decorative, mystical, historical and multicultural themes. The aspect which defines her work aside from a penchant for detail, is her ability to combine her brand of realism with folk art and decorative fantasy elements.

Holly Sierra moved recently to Stowe, Vermont and finds the area very inspirational to her new work. Stowe is one of the few remaining vestiges to the old ways... a tiny, quaint, New England village encircled by rolling hills, pastoral landscapes and endless undulating trails that summon you into the deep mystical forest beyond. Holly is often found hiking these woods or painting beside a crackling fire as the snow falls softly outside.

Holly received her fine arts education at SUNY Purchase in New York. The next six years found her working and living in Asia; amongst the countries that influenced her most were: Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, China and the Philippines. As well she visited and loved much of Europe with special attention to Ireland and England. Holly later returned from Asia to pursue a career as a Children's Book Illustrator in the States.

Her work has been published over the years by Harper Collins, Source Books, Scholastic Books, Publications International, Silver Burdett and Ginn and Macmillian McGraw Hill. Having finished a series of books called The Fairy Chronicles recently for author J.H. Sweet, Holly is presently devoting herself to a series of Goddess painting, animals and her new children's book illustrations.