Freestyle — 2022 Annual Exhibit, June 23-September 10
As published in Richmond Hill Neighbors —Freestyle. Anything goes. This ‘open’ style show for the 2022 Arts on the Coast Annual Exhibit hosted in partnership with the Photopoint Gallery located inside Elmgren’s Garden Center will be one of the most exciting community art openings this year. For participating artists, the Annual Exhibit will offer a distinct opportunity to be as creative as possible with virtually no boundaries, no parameters with the exception of the ones they set for themselves.
The Annual Exhibit is the crown jewel of the AOC’s art show yearly calendar. From paintings and photography to mixed media, jewelry and fibers, it will not disappoint when it comes to creativity, inventiveness and spectacular local art talent.
The show’s opening reception will be on Thursday, June 23rd from 5-8 p.m. Visiting art patrons and guests will get the first glimpse of who the 2022 Best in Show winners are. The popular People’s Choice Award competition will also commence.
With past winners like Fort McAllister Elementary Art teacher Brittany Nearhoof (2021/2020), AOC President Sarah Volker (2019), Renee Heidt (2016), Tom Bryne (2017), and Ana Maria Leonardi (2018), the Arts on the Coast is thrilled to welcome artists from all over the region to enter. It’s a unique opportunity for them to take full control of their medium and showcase their talents that could potentially reward them with cash prizes and recognition by their peers and the community.
“We are really excited about the show this year. Arts on the Coast is seeing an impressive surge in new as well as returning members, so the show should be quite diverse in medium and subject matter,” says Photopoint Gallery Director Joy Dunigan.
“We’ve proudly hosted the Annual Exhibit since 2016 and each year there is a theme. It determines the visual, artistic flavor and flow of the show. It also challenges artists in a very positive way. It forces them out of their comfort zone—encouraging them to grow, experiment and learn. The 2022 Annual Exhibit will introduce an ‘artist’s choice’ approach. It will be a fresh take on just letting go, setting their own boundaries or maybe not.”
All local artists are cordially invited to participate. Full details can be found online at artsonthecoast.org.
2022 Arts on the Coast Annual Exhibit opens on Thursday, June 23rd and is on view through September 10th at the Photopoint Gallery, Tuesday-Saturday 10 am - 4 p.m. The Arts on the Coast Gallery is open on select weekdays from 11 am - 2 pm. The Arts on the Coast Estes Gallery located inside Great Oaks Bank is open Monday-Friday, 9 am - 5 pm. The Leahy Art Gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm. All local artists are strongly encouraged to visit and join the Arts on the Coast at artsonthecoast.org.