Local Artists Will Share Their Secrets At ‘Meet The Artist’ Day At The American Orchid Society, Dec. 3 December 3, 2008

The process of creating art can be considered a mystery. How do artists find inspiration, choose colors and settle on techniques and media? Art enthusiasts will have a chance to learn first-hand at the American Orchid Society’s “Meet the Artist” event, a Dec. 3 show featuring workshops and demonstrations held both outside in the botanical garden and inside by members of Women in the Visual Arts.

“It’s a chance for people to see some unique kinds of work,” said Janice Cohen, past president of the non-profit group that promotes public interest in the visual arts. “I think people like to meet the artist and see how they do things.”

The event coincides with AOS’s “Art in Bloom” exhibit, which runs Nov. 26 through Jan. 4 and focuses on local artists’ images of Florida’s tropical plants and animals.

All of those demonstrating at “Meet the Artist” will have pieces in the “Art in Bloom” exhibit, Cohen said. They include Faith Copeland, a widely exhibited painter; Jane Bazinet, who will sketch and paint in watercolors and pastels, Helen Hajjar, who specializes in the Old World art of wax painting; Nona Lightman, whose passion is Chinese brush painting and Cohen, a photographer and painter who will deliver a lecture on “Photography of Flowers as Art.”

Copeland and Bazinet will be painting in the AOS gardens between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Inside the building, Hajjar will present at 11 a.m., Cohen at 11:45 a.m., Lightman at 12:30 p.m. and Bazinet, who will work both outside and inside, at 1:15 p.m. Additional artists will likely be on hand to talk about their pieces, Cohen said, including collage artist Susan Gould.

Admission to “Meet the Artist” is the same price as admission to the gardens, which is free for AOS members and $10 for non-members. Children 12 and younger are free.
The “Art in Bloom” exhibit is free and open to the public. A reception featuring light refreshments is scheduled for Dec. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. All pieces are for sale.

While members of Women in the Visual Arts have exhibited their work at AOS in the past, this is the first year “Meet the Artist” has been held, Cohen said.

“We thought people would like the opportunity to meet the people who make the art,” said Cohen, who specializes in both traditional and abstract photography, as well as multi-media that mixes painting, drawing, photography and other art forms.

Much of her photography features flowers from the AOS gardens and greenhouse, said Cohen, who recently spent several hours at AOS watching a water lily bloom. As for the opportunity to interact with local artists, Cohen said, “If people are interested to see how an artist’s mind works, I think they will find it fascinating.”

ABOUT THE AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY:
With nearly 18,000 members around the world, the AOS is recognized as a leader in orchid education, research, and conservation. It is the largest special-interest horticultural organization in the world. The AOS Visitors Center and Botanical Garden has also become a popular site for corporate meetings and special events, such as weddings and private parties.
The AOS facility and gardens are open to the public daily from 10am until 4:30pm. Admissions are $10 for adults and free for children under 12. Seniors 65 and older receive $1 off regular admission. The AOS Botanical Garden is located at 16700 AOS Lane, Delray Beach, FL 33446. For more information, please call 561-404-2000 or visit www.aos.org.

Official Website: http://www.aos.org