Expressions to Open at Piedmont Arts

Lynwood Artists' and Piedmont Arts' annual open-entry art exhibit, Expressions, will open at Piedmont Arts next week with works by regional and local artists on display.

 "This year's exhibit received a great response from the community and features 177 works by very talented artists," said Brandon Adams, Piedmont Arts' director of exhibitions. "Works in the exhibit span eight different categories and feature favorite mediums like watercolor, oil and acrylic and photography."

"We are excited to have so many artists enter work this year," said Betty Blessin, vice president of Lynwood Artists. "Though the entry number has been topped in the past, the quality of work this year is outstanding and I'm confident that all of our award winners are very deserving."

The works in this year's exhibit were judged by Brandon Cordrey, a working artist from Raleigh, NC. Cordrey holds a bachelor of fine arts degree with a concentration in painting and drawing from East Carolina University and is Gallery Manager at Lee Hansley Gallery in Raleigh. Cordrey also volunteers with the North Carolina Museum of Art and exhibits work extensively across North Carolina and Tennessee.

"The consistent, high level of work entered into this year's Expressions made giving prizes to specific pieces a challenge," said Cordrey. "I narrowed down each category based on visual interest, exploration of media, skilled use of media and content. I made my selections by giving each quality equal weight and battling them against one another. I am grateful to Piedmont Arts for inviting me to judge this year's exhibition, and I am grateful to the artists for the talent they displayed, and for challenging my decision making process."

Piedmont Arts members and the public are invited to the Expressions 2013 opening reception and awards ceremony on Friday, April 19 at 6:30 pm in the Piedmont Arts galleries. This event in admission free but guests are asked to RSVP attendance to 276.632.3221 or online at www.piedmontarts.org. At the reception, awards will be given in eight categories and attendees are invited to place their vote of the People's Choice Award, which will be awarded at the close of the exhibit on June 28, 2013.

Piedmont Arts is a nonprofit art museum and educational outreach center in Martinsville, Virginia that facilitates ongoing enrichment of the lives of the people of Martinsville, Henry County and the surrounding area, through positive exposure, education and experiences in the visual and performing arts.  Piedmont Arts is a statewide partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.  Learn more at www.piedmontarts.org.