Arts on CityPlace
Arts Association of Oldham Co.
plans fifth annual art event
Painter Bowman sees beauty in nature
all around her, she says
LA GRANGE, Ky. (November 2016) – Although artist Laura Lenz Bowman works in many different mediums, a large portion of her work is done in oils. This versatile artist hopes to add many art shows in the future, such as Arts on CityPlace on Nov. 12-13, in which to display her work.
“I love working in oils – you can layer and do so much with it. It’s very fluid,” said Bowman, 55.
Born in Texas, she grew up in Louisville and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art and a MAT certification to teach art from the University of Louisville in the 1990s. She then taught elementary art in the public school system.
“I knew as a child that I wanted to be an artist,” she said. Bowman still teaches part-time for the Oldham County School system. She said she hopes to instruct more workshops and children’s art classes in the future.
When creating a piece of artwork, she is inspired by “the ultimate artist, God and the magnificent beauty of His landscape.” She photographs many things in nature and translates them onto canvas.
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Photo provided Laura Lenz Bowman will make her first appearance in this event. Her artwork titled “Arbor Angel” is below. |
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Kentucky landscapes are featured in many of her current works, she said. “I’m fascinated with trees.”
Bowman lived in the southwestern part of the United States for seven years and much of her artwork reflects the beauty of the Arizona desert and the Texas Hill Country. She was very involved in the Senora Arts League in Arizona and “participated in a studio tour every fall.”
This year will be the first time she has participated in the Arts on CityPlace fine arts show in La Grange. The facility is located at 112 S. First Ave. The juried show will take place in Pavilion 1 and Pavilion 2 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Nov. 12, and from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Nov.13. Bowman said CityPlace is “a fantastic venue for an art show.”
Marion Gibson, show coordinator, agreed with Bowman that “CityPlace is such a stunning venue, and both pavilions will be full. It has become a very attractive show to visit.”
Held primarily indoors, there will be up to six outdoor booths for the first time, she said. Mediums represented will include painting, photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry, 3-D wood and metal, fiber-leather, mixed media, soaps, lotions and candles. In addition, “Hometown Pizza and Rollin’ Ruby’s food trucks will be on hand all weekend, and many of the shops on Main Street will open on Sunday for the show,” said Gibson.
The show began as a fundraiser for the YMCA and the Arts Association of Oldham County.
“It is very difficult to produce an art show and make a profit, so AAOC now produces it on our own,” Gibson said. “We are hoping to break even this year and make a small profit in the future. We do it because we love it and because the Arts Association ‘Brings the Arts to Oldham County.’ ”
This will be the fifth year for the show, and she attributes its success to the fact that it is “held at a time of year – one and a half weeks before Thanksgiving – when we’re all shopping.
But most shows are craft shows or church bazaars.” The artists participating in Arts on CityPlace are juried artists, many of whom have showed at St James Court Art Fair, the Madison (Ind.) Chautauqua, etc. I also think the move to the stunning CityPlace really put us on the map.”
Artists come from all over Kentucky and other states to participate, including Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Hampshire, Florida and Illinois. Some of these artists also take part in additional juried art shows put on by the Arts Association,, such as the annual Arts on the Green, held the first weekend in June.
Artists are judged for Arts on CityPlace and prizes awarded. Best of Show wins $350, and the artists’ work is featured on the preceding year’s advertisements. First place through third place are awarded ribbons in 10 categories, and first-place winners get a free booth for the 2017 show. Gibson said local artists who are professionals in their medium judge the show.
“The Arts Association shows are well-run and supported,” said Bowman. As with many Arts Association artists, she has work displayed at Gallery 104 in La Grange. The Arts Association owns and operates Gallery 104.
Bowman said the Arts Association “are a great group of artists to be associated with.” In addition to her paintings, Bowman will have on display something new she has created: cedar and copper ornaments. Her husband, Jeff, chopped the cedar, which was given to them by a friend who was replacing his roof. She patinas the copper and cuts it into shapes, then paints and embellishes it. She said she is inspired by the “rustic décor” look.