8th Annual “Catalina: The Wild Side” Art Show and Sale Draws Art Fans — Sale of Works by 11 Nationally Recognized Plein Air Painters Grosses Over $190,000
Art lovers filled the second-floor ballroom of the newly completed Newport Harbor Yacht Club on October 22, for the Catalina Island Conservancy’s annual “Catalina: The Wild Side” Art Show and Sale, where they admired and purchased the works of the 11 nationally recognized plein air artists who showcased their interpretations of Catalina Island’s wildlands, Avalon, and Two Harbors.
Newcomer Colin Page joined this year’s roster of returning artists: Cindy Baron, Brian Blood, John Cosby, Don Demers, Kathleen Dunphy, Andy Evansen, Debra Huse, Laurie Kersey, Michael Obermeyer, and Joe Paquet.
“We extend our thanks to the artists as well as the Catalina Island Conservancy supporters and art lovers who joined us at this spectacular location. The 2018 “Catalina: The Wild Side” Art Show was one of the highest grossing in its history, raising a gross of over $190,000 to support the programs of the Conservancy,” said Tony Budrovich, Conservancy president and CEO.
Proceeds from the sales of the artworks benefit the Conservancy’s conservation, education, and recreation programs and support the Conservancy’s permanent collection of plein air art that documents the organization’s conservation efforts and progress in habitat restoration. Paintings in the Conservancy’s collection will be displayed in rotating exhibits at the new Trailhead Visitor Center in Avalon, opening this year.
“The ‘Catalina: The Wild Side’ Art Show is unique because it allows us to connect with those who love Catalina Island through nationally recognized artists’ views of the landscape which represent the conservation side of the Conservancy’s work,” said Conservancy board member and event chair Victoria Seaver Dean.
Artists traveled to Catalina Island several times during the year to paint in the plein air style, which is art created in nature and capturing the light in the moment, a tradition that has been taking place on Catalina Island for over 100 years.
Remaining works are still available for purchase through an online sale that will run through 11:59 PM PST on November 17. The full collection of over 100 paintings (including paintings available for purchase) is available at www.catalinaconservancy.org.
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