No bug spray or hiking poles are necessary to experience this stroll through nature! The fifth annual Art by Nature exhibit opens Friday, Aug. 26 at the Loudoun House (209 Castlewood Dr.). This year’s show, Art by Nature: Front Yard Friends, highlights the beauty and benefits of front yard landscaping. The opening reception will be held Friday, Aug. 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The gallery features 46 pieces of work from 26 local artists. Digital art, drawing, mixed media, painting and videography are all among the mediums included in the exhibit. Youth who attend the William Wells Brown Community Center created works highlighting a garden next to the center. Pieces are available for purchase; a portion of the proceeds will go to CELEBRATELex, formerly known as America in Bloom Lexington.
“The Art by Nature series is always a wonderful showcase of our local artistic talent, and this year is no different,” says Nancy Albright, Commissioner of Environmental Quality and Public Works. “The exhibit does a fantastic job of highlighting the beauty and importance of native plants in the Bluegrass.”
This year’s topic was selected to bring attention to new Plant by Numbers plans for front yards. These plans make it easy for novices to design beautiful, low-maintenance, environmentally-friendly landscapes. The plans were created by EARTHeim Landscape Design, and are available for free from the City, LexingtonKY.gov/PlantByNumbers.
The gallery can be viewed during the building’s normal hours of operation, noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. There will also be the following events, free and open to the public.
- Art by Nature gallery opening: Friday, Aug. 26, 6 – 8 p.m.
Stop by to browse the art, enjoy snacks and make your very own artwork to take home or display. At 7 p.m., the winning pieces will be announced, as judged by local artist Bre Kort.- LexArts HOP: Friday, Sept. 16, 6 – 8 p.m.
Make Art by Nature part of your LexArts HOP plan! The HOP is a celebration of art, including dozens of galleries and non-traditional exhibit spaces, which occurs the third Friday of every other month. Stop by to view the art, enjoy some light appetizers and make a keepsake button using natural materials!- Closing reception: Saturday, Sept. 24, 6 – 8 p.m.
Join us on the final night of the exhibit for one last look at the art. Participants can purchase art from the exhibit, enjoy snacks, and learn who won the People's Choice Award.
Exhibition visitors can vote for their favorite work. A People's Choice award will be presented at the closing reception in September.
For more details on the exhibit and its associated events, visit LexingtonKY.gov/ArtByNature.
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