Art League Online Silent Faculty Auction
Begins August 26 at 6:00pm and Closes August 28 at 5:00pm
Auction site: http://www.32auctions.com/organizations/4312/auctions/4770
The online silent auction of faculty work, the third event in our “30-Something” Summer Series, is only a few days away! We’re thrilled to present such a wonderful collection of works by our generous and talented faculty. Participating in the auction is a fantastic opportunity to own a masterpiece by a member of our talented faculty while supporting The Art League’s build-out at the Madison Annex. All proceeds from the auction go to fund the build-out project.
Scroll down to learn more about the instructors who have so generously donated works to the cause, and click on the images to go straight to the auction site!
Dawn Benedetto
Benedetto picked up her first torch when she was 14. She graduated with a B.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1993. In 1997, she became an artist in-residence at the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Benedetto is best known for a ring she invented in 2001 – a simple design with a sterling silver band and colorful beads that adjusts to fit most fingers. She has recently been rejuvenated by a find of un-circulated vintage Lucite, and instantly fell in love with the rich, colorful candy-like material. She makes silver components that complement the Lucite. This line showcases Benedetto’s fascination with color, confections, and the big top circus. The collection is both contemporary and classic and honors a special period of design history that was full of hope, optimism, bold color and modernity.
Gwen Bragg
A Step Back II – Segesta is from Bragg’s Stone on Stone series. These transparent watercolors inspired by the artist’s visits to ancient sites seek to capture the mystery and romantic allure of architectural ruins. Each civilization leaves its mark. Rain and wind tear the surfaces. Facades crack and crumble, revealing what was once hidden. This painting of the lovely Greek temple in Segesta, Sicily speaks to the strength and survival of classical forms — over thousands of years.
The technique used in this series of paintings is Bragg’s own adaptation of a flipping technique she discovered in a master class under Lee Weiss. Paint is applied to both sides of the paper while working on a large sheet of Plexiglas. Flipping the paper over and over mixes colors and creates textures unique to this process and particularly appropriate for depicting timeworn architecture.
Bragg is an award winning artist and art instructor who lives in Alexandria. Holding a BS in Art Education and a MFA in Drawing and Painting from James Madison University, she has been teaching watercolor at the Art League School in Alexandria since 1989. In addition to workshops held annually at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and Orkney Springs, Virginia, every year since 1995 she has led an international painting workshop to “someplace with interesting architecture, artifacts and rocks” including Croatia, Greece, Italy, Spain and Peru. She is a Signature Member of the National, Baltimore and Alabama Watercolor Societies, and an Artist Member and President of the Virginia Watercolor Society. Her work has been exhibited in numerous international, national and regional shows including solo shows at The Art League ’06, Strathmore Hall ’07 and US Geological Survey ’11. A solo show of her watercolors is scheduled for NIH in January 2013. Her work is included in the collections of Philip Morris, American Bank, Petersburg Area Art League, and the National Institutes of Health and the Carrier Library at James Madison University. Her work has been published in American Artists Magazine, The Artistic Touch 4 and Elan. Continue reading Online Silent Faculty Auction Begins Sunday!