Artists to showcase works in Paradise

Paradise Center will be celebrating the fifth year of the “Artists in Paradise” gallery, as well as the grand opening of the rehabilitated structure as a visitor’s center with historical exhibits.

The Artists in Paradise event is a three-day art showcase of local artisans, painters, sketch artists, photographers and creative minds of various media. Volunteer local musicians are also featured throughout the event.

The art extravaganza is a joint effort of the Paradise School Preservation Committee and the Sanders County Arts Council’s (SCAC) visual arts sub-committee.

This year’s exhibit will begin Thursday, July 19 and run through Saturday, July 21, opening at 10 a.m. each day and closing at 4 p.m.

Artists will be present at their displays to connect with the public and share their techniques in their chosen field. Most artists will have work available for purchase. Transactions are finalized with a central cashier who can accept cash, checks or credit cards, keeping the artists free to converse and share details about their works.

The event is also a fundraiser for the Paradise Center through visitor donations and raffles for artistic pieces that have been donated by each participating artist. The exhibit draws an average of 300 visitors each year, according to SCAC.

For more information email: [email protected] or visit paradisecenter.org.

Featured Artists in Paradise

Ellen Childress – hand thrown functional stoneware

Tom Collins – hand carved wood sculptures

Andrea Fernandez - acrylic paintings and more

Rick Harter - acrylic & watercolor, pen & ink

Orvall Kuester - nature photography

Ed Moreth - photography

Ilene Paulsen - acrylic and watercolor paintings

Cheri Seli - nature photography

Liz Smith - rock and copper creations

Karen Thorson - watercolor and oil, fused glass

Dianne Zimmerman – alcohol ink, mixed media