The Waterfowl Festival will offer an array of small artworks from big names in the world of nature art at this year’s Masters Gallery. “Nature in Miniature” will feature smaller pieces by internationally renowned artists whose work is seldom seen at art shows.
Robert J. Koenke, co-chairman of the Festival’s Masters Gallery Committee, described the paintings and sculptures as “little gems,” approximately ten by twelve inches in size.
“Many collectors have accumulated a number of larger pieces over the years,” he said. “These are smaller works that they can use to fill niches in their homes or offices.”
While the artworks may be smaller, Koenke insisted that the talents that created them are huge. Artists sending work include Edward Aldrich of Colorado, John Banovich of Montana, Rod Crossman of Indiana, Luke Frazier of Utah, Terry Isaac of British Columbia, Minnesota’s Jim Killen, Bruce Miller and Jerry Raedeke, and Morten Solberg of Florida. The artists are creating works especially for the event.
Koenke noted that the decision to present the Nature in Miniature exhibit reflected a recognition of the current economic climate. With prices expected to start at about $500, they will be more affordable to collectors at this time than some of the other artwork that the Festival features.
Along with the Nature in Miniature exhibit, the Waterfowl Festival’s Masters Gallery also will offer visitors and collectors an opportunity to view and purchase paintings and sculpture from those widely acclaimed as masters in the world of wildlife and nature art. The artists may be living or deceased, but they are all renowned as the best of the best.
Among those to be represented in the Masters Gallery this year are Frank Benson, Richard Bishop, Raymond Harris-Ching, Larry Isard, Bob Kuhn, David Maass, Lanford Monroe, Rosetta, John Sharp and others.
Guests will have their first opportunity to explore the Masters Gallery and Nature in Miniature exhibit at the Academy Art Museum during the Festival’s Premiere Night “Artful Feast” for donors on Thursday, November 12.
To attend Premiere Night or to make a donation, contact the Waterfowl Festival office at 410-822-4567 or visit its website, www.waterfowlfestival.org. The 2009 Waterfowl Festival will be held in Easton November 13, 14 & 15.