Art show, Tignall festival fill weekend

New York artist Laura Loving returns to her Southern roots to exhibit her work here, one of many artists featured at the annual "Washington Connections" Premier Art Show and Sale Saturday and Sunday.

Atlanta native Loving will be exhibiting a selection or her original oil paintings, limited edition serigraphs, and her 2006 Joyful Holiday line of art objects.

Loving's new holiday line includes decorative ceramic tiles and note cards with her designs Skating in the Park and The Joyful Snowman. The show in Washington is the debut of a four-city art tour she has dubbed Laurapalooza II - The Joyful Holiday Tour.

A full weekend of fine art begins with a reception for artists and friends Friday evening, with the art show and sale Saturday and Sunday.

The annual art show and sale on The Square in downtown Washington will have exhibits of art in a wide range of genre, and many original works will be for sale, organizer Lou Ricciuti said. "The purpose of this event is to provide awareness, enrichment, and enjoyment of the fine arts for youth and the general public."

Admission and parking to this event are free.

This year's show will feature artists competing for prizes totaling $1,750. Artists competing for the prize money will offer their art for sale and will be coming from North Carolina, South Carolina, New York City, and cities throughout the southeast. There will be graphic artists and watercolor, oil, fiber, and glass artists competing and selling along with photographers and potters.

The original painting of this year's poster, by French watercolor artist Gérard Viret, will be offered at a silent auction during the opening repeople, ception Friday evening at the historic Fitzpatrick Hotel.

Local, regional, national, and international artists have accepted invitations, Ricciuti said. "All of the artists have some special connection to this area."

Information about other Washington Wilkes landmarks and events will be available at the Art Show's information center in front of the Fitzpatrick Hotel or at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center on the Square.

In addition to the art show in Washington, one of Wilkes County's largest festivals, the "I'd Rather Be in Tignall" Fall Festival will be held Saturday at the Old Tignall High School on Independence Street from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

"This will be a big weekend for visitors," Tourism Director Ashley Turner said. "We're expecting folks from all over the South, drawn by all this great art and the now-famous Tignall festival. Plus, they'll get to explore the stores for a great weekend of unique Christmas shopping, too."

For more information on the art show and sale, see www. Wa s h i n g t o n - Wi l k e s - A r t s - Foundation.org or call 706-840- 2734.