50 years and counting, league members go for the gold

The Swannanoa Valley Fine Art League is getting ready to stage its 50th Annual Juried Members Show, to run Friday, July 14 through Sunday, Sept. 3 at The Red House Studios and Gallery.

The more than 130 artists of the fine art league work in a variety of two- and three-dimensional media, including oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, pencil, pen and ink, photography, sculpture, clay, glass, wood, mixed media, fiber art and collage. Each member has been asked to submit his or her best work for the show, and only the best will be selected.

Judging will be Fleta Monaghan, a lifelong artist with a studio in Asheville's River Arts District. Having started painting as a child, she now works primarily in oils on panel and encaustic mixed media. A long-time art educator, she has focused on adult teaching and has juried and curated several exhibitions.

The Swannanoa Valley Fine Art League was begun in 1967 by 16 women interested in promoting art in the Black Mountain area. The league continues to have meetings, art classes and workshops. It has “Paint Togethers” and sponsors art education. Its arts education programs have employed some of the area's finest artists and sculptors, as well as teachers of national reputation.

Last year’s “Best of Show” was artist Lynn Newhouse’s oil painting, “Everything Is Not Black and White,” a large painting of a couple playing chess.

During the 5-7 p.m. opening reception Friday, July 14, cash prizes will be given to Best of Show, first-, second- and third-place, as well as for three merit awards. The Red House Gallery, open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m., is beside the Monte Vista Hotel. For more, visit svfalarts.org or contact curator Susan Lueck at 669-7848.