First Annual Abstract Art Festival Wraps in Shockoe July 30, 2010

There’s a great prowess for art emerging among the businesses in the Shockoe community. It’s rare to experience a weekend in the Bottom or the Slip without experiencing some sort of cultural affair, and this weekend is no exception to that rule, kicking off with the closing of C’est Le Vin’s First Abstract Arts Festival.

For the past month a variety of local not-so-acclaimed artists have been showing at Richmond’s only Wine and Art Gallery just off the acclaimed 17th Street Farmer’s Market. Bert Green, the event’s organizer notes ‘this event was to showcase artists that are up and comers in our community, who really deserve a great deal of encouragement as they embark on their artistic careers.’

For artist Ethan Rider, a 19 year old Richmond native, this is his first showing. Throughout his works in ink and water color, he expresses a subject matter that ranges from geometric configurations to those more relatable to human emotion. His signature work, ‘Party Monster,’ is both a brilliantly colorful and emotionally provocative piece.

The fun doesn’t stop there though. As you’re enjoying C’est Le Vin’s free wine tasting and cheese pairing, be sure to catch a glance of Vertikal Studio’s pieces, including a 97% recycled content coffee table and a barstool whose surfaces are composed of a Kevlar composite.

Partnering up with Bert is studio mate Nicholai Jerome, whose industrial metal sculptures soon will grace the grounds at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Nicholai’s works have graced the facades of many of downtown’s buildings, and have seemingly gone unnoticed for their simple and pure forms of beauty.

So, whether you come for the fine wine, sculpture, mixed media pieces or Teresa Semmunegus’ photography (details on site), you’ve got to be there at 5pm this Friday, July 30. It’s C’est Le Vin, a wine shop and art gallery in Richmond’s historic Shockoe community, 15 N. 17th St. It’s an unexpected spot, whose treasures are shared the community across! Event ends at 11 pm.

Official Website: http://www.facebook.com/cestlevin?ref=search