Landfall will open its gates Aug. 21-23 for a free art show exhibiting and selling the work of 100 local artists.
Katie Watkins, organizer of the annual Landfall Foundation Art Show, said the show is an opportunity to support local art and the greater Wilmington community, with proceeds from the event used to benefit a number of local nonprofits and programs.
“Not only are you connecting to your inner artistic side, seeing what these wonderful community artists can bring, but you’re also contributing to the community by giving back,” Watkins said.
The Landfall Foundation takes 30 percent commission for each sale. The 2014 Landfall Foundation grants award recipients will be announced in November.
Registration was limited to 100 North Carolina artists, with priority given to Landfall residents. The 2014 line-up includes 31 new artists, some based as far away as Greensboro, Raleigh and New Bern, plus 18 Landfall-based artists. Watkins attributed growing interest in the show to the audience it brings and the opportunity to sell work.
Darrin Darazsdi, a Wilmington-based ceramics artist, said he is excited to come back after participating his first year in 2013, when he sold every piece he brought and snagged a blue ribbon for best in ceramics.
“It’s hard to not go back after that,” he said.
Watkins said she tries every year to incorporate something new and exciting into the show. This year, she organized a scavenger hunt as an art education tool to help visitors focus on the work.
“It really helps you concentrate on the art and the art form. It’ll be fun for kids, too,” she said.
Darazsdi praised the show’s environment as ideal for serious artists to display and sell work.
“I’ve done a lot of different shows in my time, juried exhibitions as well as things like Azalea Festival and Riverfest where you get everything from fine art to deep-fried Snickers bars. This environment is really nice, especially for somebody in more fine art circles because you get the cream of the crop in a show like this,” Darazsdi said.
Nicole White Kennedy, a Raleigh-based artist with strong ties to the local art scene, said she expects a hard task in judging the high-quality work exhibited in the show.
“There are a lot of really talented painters down there, so it’s an honor for me to be asked to judge the ribbons for this show. … I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of really great pieces so it’ll be hard work,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy attracted national attention for her Beach People series, in which she captured Wrightsville beachgoers in classical Impressionist style. She said she is excited to return to her home away from home to judge the show.
“It’s a no-brainer for me to be doing this. I love it down there,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy will judge the pieces Aug. 20 and winners will be announced that day during an invitation-only reception for sponsors and participants. Blue ribbons are awarded to artists in each medium while top winners can earn $500, $300 and $100 for first, second and third place overall.
The show will be open to the public Aug. 21-23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dye Clubhouse. Nonresidents must enter through the Eastwood gate.
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