Artists to be featured at Taste of the Arts

Three well-known Piqua artists, all members of the Piqua Visual Artist Society, will be demonstrating their artistic talents for the public at the upcoming Taste of the Arts celebration on Friday evening, May 18.  The artists are: Carolyn Stevens, a watercolor artist who will be painting a snow landscape; Songja Hoang, demonstrating oil on canvas in abstract; and Fay Shoemaker, a watercolor artist who will be painting seascapes during the festival.

Businesses throughout the downtown have extended invitations for the artists to set up inside their stores and shops, offering the public the opportunity to observe and learn artistic techniques as they watch the artists at work.  Stevens will be demonstrating her watercolor techniques at Stilwell's Thoma Jewelers from 5:30 to 8:30; Hoang will be working with oils on the second floor of the Apple Tree Gallery from 7 to 8:30 p.m. where the public will also be able to view the Piqua Arts Council's Fine Arts Exhibition that will be underway at that time; and Shoemaker will be painting seascapes in watercolor at Readmore's Hallmark from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

As members of the Piqua Visual Artist Society, an organization formed about six years ago for local artists working in a variety of mediums, from painters and potters to sculptors, these artists seek to advance their artistic skills personally while providing support and encouragement to others and adding cultural richness to the Piqua community.

Hoang achieved her MFA degree from the University of Cincinnati, has exhibited in art shows in Chicago, New Jersey and New York, has won many awards at the juried art shows in Rosewood Art Gallery in Kettering and teaches Fine Arts at Edison College. 

Stevens, a nurse at UVMC by profession, spends time each year attending artist workshops around the United States and this fall will be taking her 17-year-old granddaughter, Rebecca (who aspires to being an art teacher), to the popular Hilton Head artists' workshop where they will both be challenged as students.

Shoemaker, a staff member of Piqua City Schools, has enjoyed painting throughout her life and often attends painting workshops in Greenville and exhibits in local art exhibitions.

In addition to these three Piqua artists, the Taste of the Arts will also be featuring woodcarver Jim Foster at Z-Coil Footwear from 6 to 8 p.m.; woodworker Scott Phillips at Linda's Sew 'n So from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and ceramic artist Sally Watson of Tipp City, in the alcove of the Apple Tree Gallery.

Mouthwatering food offered by fourteen restaurants, music by the Tom Daugherty Orchestra and strolling musicians, exciting entertainment at the Main Street Kids Zone, vending artists, and the Fine Arts Exhibition will make this 5 to 9 p.m. event on May 18 an evening to remember in downtown Piqua.  For more information phone Mainstreet Piqua at 773-9355.

For More Information Contact: Lorna Swisher - 773-9355

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