NEWS

RENOWN ARTIST PAINTS DOWNTOWN SCENES TO BENEFIT THE UAC

Thursday, May 15, internationally recognized American oil painter Leonard Wren, renowned for his plein air oil paintings of subjects taken directly from life, will capture several downtown Greensboro scenes during a visit sponsored by The Art Shop.

Wren, whose “American Impressionist” style has attracted

collectors from across the globe, will start his day at 11 am at Center City Park, where the public is invited to join him, with or without their easels, to watch and learn from his unique

perspective on capturing the outdoors. From there he will literally follow his muse, walking through the downtown area, seeking inspirational scenes to paint. Art enthusiasts are invited to join him anywhere along the way by calling a Downtown Greensboro Artist Hotline at 336 420-0098 to find his location. It is anticipated that he may paint as many as four original works between 11 am and 6 pm.

On Friday evening, May 16, Wren’s downtown Greensboro paintings will be introduced in an invitation-only event at The Art Shop along with a full collection of his original and limited edition canvases.  The proceeds from a drawing for a framed limited edition canvas by Wren will be donated to UAC by The Art Shop.

The Wren show will be open to the public on Saturday, May 17 from 1 to 3 pm.

According to The Art Shop owner Arlene Dolin, the Wren event represents a

dynamic way to promote the United Arts Council’s mission to invest in our creative community and the current focus of Action Greensboro on arts, culture and entertainment. “The UAC works to increase community participation in the arts. We believe that making a famous plein air painter accessible to folks in our community throughout a day of painting, and raising funds for the United Arts Council during a show of his work, would be a great way for The Art Shop to get involved. ”

COFFEE CUP COLLABORATIVE TO BE UNVEILED IN SPRING 2008

As Ezell Blair, Jr. leaned across the segregated F.W. Woolworth lunch counter and very simply asked for a cup of coffee – Greensboro and the nation were forever changed. The “Coffee Cup Collaborative," a public art project focusing on the unique history of Greensboro and the role of the sit-in movement in American culture, consists of 10 bronze coffee cups uniquely designed by a North Carolina artist. Each sculpture will be placed in select locations, accompanied by quotes on equality.  What started as a public art project to educate and engage young people about the sit-in movement of the 1960s has blossomed into a work that will inspire courage in viewers to make a difference and change the world. The collaborative was organized by the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, the The International Civil Rights Center & Museum and synerG of Action Greensboro.

Phase I of the Coffee Cup Collaborative is almost complete. The project has been sponsored by the Future Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, the Bicentennial Committee, Nexsen Pruet and American Express. Several of the 10 coffee cups have been cast in bronze. Installation is slated for late spring. A private reception to honor the artists and sponsors was held at Nexsen Pruet on January 15, 2008.