The 41st Annual River Road Show, sponsored by the Louisiana Art and Artists’ Guild, is currently receiving entries for the December 2 – January 30 exhibit at the Louisiana State Archives Building in Baton Rouge.

Deadline for entries is September 17, 2010. Entry fee is $40 for three entries and $5 for each additional submission, up to 10. This is a national competition with cash prizes of $3,000.

All United States artists 18 years and older are invited to submit any original two-dimensional art except photography or digitally-created/enhanced works.

The show will be juried and judged by Paul Jackson AWS, NWS, an internationally known artist and instructor.

The prospectus and pictures of the 2009 show are available online. Direct questions can be made by emailing Lane Downs.

The Durham Arts Council is sponsoring a new state-wide opportunity for visual and performing artists. Last year they invited artists to participate in a pilot festival program launched by the North Carolina Arts Council and Duke Homestead. Artist participation in The Duke Homestead’s Hornworm Festival was so successful that the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources has now expanded the program to historic sites across the state.

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources is launching a new program this summer called 2nd Saturdays: History, Heritage, Arts & Fun. These 2nd Saturday events in June, July and August are an opportunity for artists to showcase their work at more than 30 state historic sites and museums across the state.

The dates of the Saturday events are June 12, July 10 and August 14. The event time varies at each site but is generally 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visual artists can use these opportunities to sell their work and there is no cost to participate. At most sites artists retain 100 percent of their sales. Artists are responsible for providing their own tables, tents and displays. Several sites would also like to include musicians, performing artists, authors and storytellers in these events.

Artists can review the list of participating historic sites and museums online. The sites have developed themes and are looking for specific types of artists to support and reinforce their theme.

The deadline for artist registration forms is Friday, April 30 for the June 12 event. Space is limited, so we encourage you to sign up today!

For more information, visit www.ncarts.org/2ndsaturdays

Sally Strand will demonstrate pastels at the February meeting of the Fine Arts League of Cary on Thursday, February 25 at 7:30pm at the Jordan Hall Arts Center (908 N. Harrison Ave., Cary). For more information call 919.46.1791.

The 16th Juried Competition of the International Association of Pastel Societies
Exhibition at The Flora B. Giffuni Gallery
The Butler Institute of American Art
Youngstown, Ohio

The Prospectus is posted at www.pastelinternational.com
Entry deadline: April 26, 2010

Three Jurors: Alan Flattman, PSA, Liz Haywood-Sullivan, PSA, Jimmy Wright, PSA

Date: November 20, 2009
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Venue: The Cotton Room at Golden Belt
807 East Main Street
Durham, NC 27701

CAM/now, Golden Belt and The Cotton Room at Golden Belt are proud to announce the inaugural Triangle Arts Mixer, an evening for arts organizations, arts supporters, and artists of all disciplines to mix, mingle, and find new ways to activate and advance the Triangle arts scene. The event will feature a broad network of area arts organizations and young professional arts groups ready to engage individuals looking to get involved, learn more or become members.

The free Triangle Arts Mixer will be held as part of Third Friday Durham, hosted by Golden Belt, CAM/now, and The Cotton Room.  The evening will feature music by dj Yes! sputnik, light food, and a cash bar in the spectacular, newly-opened event venue—The Cotton Room.  In a true celebration of the arts, the Mixer is complemented by other activities also happening on Golden Belt’s campus this Third Friday: the opening of a new exhibition from elin o’Hara slavick, Hiroshima: After Aftermath in ROOM 100; the experiential, traveling Council Project in Building 6; the opening of Natural Selection, the latest show in LabourLove Gallery; and the always-packed open artist studios in Building 3 with a special welcome to new Durham Art Guild Artist-in-Residence, Dave Alsobrooks and the culmination of works by visiting Virginia Artist-in-Residence Yonsenia White with The Obama Effect.

Art enthusiasts will not want to miss this unique opportunity to interact with art organizations and other members of the Triangle community that share a common purpose and passion for the arts.

*Free admission and parking

Richard McKinley recently posted on his blog about a new pastel surface he was introduced to by the folks at Dakota Art Pastels. Click on the link for his take and more information on ordering this paper.

PSNC is looking for 3-5 member artists willing to paint on site Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 for our “Pastels & Petals” all floral show during the NC State Florists Association Annual Convention at the Greensboro Embassy Suites Hotel.

All work will be donated to the NCSFA’s auction on Sunday. This will be to promote PSNC, and the auction raises money for floral education (design school).

Not a member? Download the application and join us for great programs and artist opportunities!

One attendee put together this YouTube video featuring photo stills and video from the conference in Albuquerque last month. That paint around looked a little crowded!