SOUTHERN SCENES Opens at Horton Hayes Fine Art November 2

Join Horton Hayes Fine Art for an opening reception of “Southern Scenes” featuring new works by Chris Groves, Shannon Runquist,  Mark Kelvin Horton, Nancy Hoerter and Elizabeth Pollie on Friday, November 2nd from 5 to 8pm. Horton Hayes Fine Art is located at 30 State Street in downtown Charleston, SC.

“Southern Scenes” is presented as part of the 14th Charleston Fine Art Annual, November 2-4. Chris Groves, Mark Horton, Shannon Runquist, Nancy Hoerter and Elizabeth Pollie will paint in Washington Park on Saturday, November 3 from 9am till noon during the CFADA’s Painting in the Park that annually features over 30 local and visiting artists. Wet paintings from the park will be up for bid at BUY ART Silent Auction and Patrons’ Receptions. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased at www.cfada.com.

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CFADA’s Painting in the Park, November 3

Watch the artists at work in Washington Park on November 3 from 9am till noon.  These plein air demonstrations are open to the public, free, and feature nationally and regionally known artists from CFADA galleries:

West Fraser, Lese Corrigan, Susan Romaine,  Shannon Smith, Jennifer Smith-Rogers, Karen Larson Turner, Mark Bailey, Curt Butler, Laurie Meyer, Craig Nelson, Karen Weihs, Rhett Thurman, Trey Finney, Mark Kelvin Horton, Chris Groves, Nancy Hoerter, Elizabeth Pollie, Shannon Runquist, George Pate, Marty Whaley Adams, Nancy Pellatt, John Hull, Donald Demers, Larry Wheeler, Mary Erickson, Simon Kenevan, Fred Jamar, Robert Lange, Amy Lind, Gary Grier and Charles Williams.

Paintings created that morning in Washington Park will be on display and available for sale at BUY ART silent auction and reception. The artists will be present at this reception, which will take place at the Gibbes Museum of Art on November 3 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Funds raised by this event are used to purchase much needed art supplies for Charleston County high schools. Tickets are $55 per person. The event is catered by Cru Catering.  To reserve tickets, click here http://www.charlestonfineartdealersassociation.com/tickets/tickets.html or call (843)819-8006 or email CFADA at info@cfada.com.

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Painting in the Park: Featuring Chris Groves

Light After Dark by Chris Groves

Chris Groves’ love of art grew from his early experiences with nature and the introduction of a master sculpture in his youth. Groves was born in Boulder, Colorado, but soon moved with his family to Slidell, Louisiana. Those early years in Slidell were spent outside, exploring the woods, swimming in the bayou, boating, fishing, playing with snakes and other wild animals. It was during those years that Groves learned to love the outdoors and nature.

At the age of ten, Groves’ family returned to Boulder where he continued his exploration of nature with countless hikes, mountain climbs and camping trips. His parents gave him a nature-drawing book and Groves latched onto it as a source of awe and inspiration. He would spend countless hours copying the drawings and enhancing them with his own interpretation. His parents, recognizing their sons’ talent and appreciation of art, hired a private tutor to instruct him in basic techniques. Soon, Groves’ interest turned from nature to people. Groves looked to magazines, friends and siblings as a source of inspiration and drew detailed portraits of their faces.

In high school, Groves met sculptor, Glenna Goodacre, the mother of a school friend. Meeting with her and seeing some of the success she enjoyed as a artist (Vietnam Women’s memorial, Sacagawea US Dollar design) helped to inspire Groves’ own artistic aspirations.

After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.F.A. in Environmental Design, Groves spent the next ten years as an art director for two large companies, all the while continuing to study and hone his fine art skills.

Groves has studied at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, the Colorado Academy of Art, the Loveland Art Academy, the Cottonwood Art Academy and the Denver Arts Students League. He also enjoyed a private, two- year mentorship with artist Jay Moore, which he considers a turning point in his artistic career.

Groves paintings hang in numerous private and corporate collections and he is the recipient of multiple awards and recognitions.

Groves’ talent is on full display at Horton Hayes Fine Art  located at 30 State street in downtown Charleston.

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14th Charleston Fine Art Annual – PROGRAM

Program:

Friday, November 2:

5 – 8 p.m. – CFADA gallery receptions & Charleston Fine Art Annual Art Stroll – FREE and open to public

8 – 10:30 p.m. – Society 1858’s Rock, Scissors, Art on Paper preview party & reception at the Gibbes, $30 advance purchase, $40 at the door. www.gibbesmuseum.org/events

Saturday, November 3:

9 a.m. – noon – Painting in the Park in Washington Park – FREE and open to public (coffee and snacks available)

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. -  Art on Paper Fair at the Gibbes

11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Artist Demonstrations and Curator-led Tour of Art on Paper Fair at the Gibbes

6:30 – 8:30 p.m. – CFADA’s Buy Art! silent auction & patrons’ reception benefiting the Charleston County High Schools’ art programs, $55 in advance/$65 day of event. www.cfada.com

Sunday, November 4:

1–5 p.m. – Art on Paper Fair at the Gibbes

2:30 p.m. – Curator-led Tour of Art on Paper Fair at the Gibbes

The fine art weekend is a benefit for art programs at 11 local high schools. CFADA has donated over $250,000 to public high schools since 2004. Buy tickets at www.cfada.com

The following artists are painting in the park and donating their works to BUY ART silent auction this year:

West Fraser, Lese Corrigan, Susan Romaine,  Shannon Smith, Jennifer Smith-Rogers, Karen Larson Turner, Mark Bailey, Curt Butler, Laurie Meyer, Craig Nelson, Karen Weihs, Rhett Thurman, Trey Finney, Mark Kelvin Horton, Chris Groves, Nancy Hoerter, Elizabeth Pollie, Shannon Runquist, George Pate, Marty Whaley Adams, Nancy Pellatt, John Hull, Donald Demers, Larry Wheeler, Mary Erickson, Arnold Desmarais, Simon Kenevan, Fred Jamar and Robert Lange!

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Horton Hayes Artists Participating in the 14th Annual Heart Ball Art and Wine Auction

Southern Landscape, Chris Groves, 20x30, Oil on Linen

On the evening of February 26th, the Charleston Chapter of the American Heart Association will hold its annual gala, the Heart Ball Art and Wine Auction at the Charleston Marriott Hotel.  Horton Hayes Fine Art’s four local artists have each donated a painting for the evening’s live auction.  The paintings by Mark Kelvin Horton, Nancy Hoerter, Chris Groves and Shannon Runquist were created especially for this event.

Casting, Mark Kelvin Horton, 24x24, Oil on Canvas

Right for Pickin', Shannon Runquist, 20x30, Oil on Linen

Afternoon Shadows, Nancy Hoerter, 20x24, Oil on Board

The evening celebrates the work and mission of the American Heart Association and the lives saved and improved because of the efforts of AHA’s donors and volunteers.  The Heart Ball promises to be a delightful evening, bringing community and philanthropic leaders together.  Last year, the Heart Ball campaign raised just over $51 million nationwide allowing the AHA to fund research and programs in the Charleston area and across the country.

For more information go to the Charleston, SC Heart Ball’s website by clicking here.

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“Light and Life: Tuscany and Florence” Opens at Horton Hayes Fine Art on November 5

On November 5, 2010, Horton Hayes Fine Art will open its much anticipated two-person exhibition entitled Light and Life: Tuscany and Florence, featuring paintings of Tuscany and Florence by Mark Kelvin Horton and Chris Groves.  An opening reception with the artists will take place that evening from 5:00-8:00pm in conjunction with the Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association’s Fine Art Weekend.

This series of landscapes, streetscapes and vistas of Florence is inspired by the artists’ recent trip to Italy.  The exhibition offers views of bright vineyards and cypress groves, enchanting villas set among the Tuscan hills and intimate alleyways of Florence.  Groves and Horton provide two distinct fresh and contemporary impressions of these images of enduring beauty.

Horton and Groves share an admiration for the light, life and historical artistic influences of Italy.  “I was especially inspired by the Tuscan countryside, the beauty of the shapes and colors and the way the fields, hills and farmhouses all fell into wonderful compositions”, says Horton.  Having studied in Florence years ago, Groves was eager to return with a deeper appreciation of his skills and abilities of interpretation.  “Catching the light of Italy has always intrigued me as an artist”, notes Groves.  “I was inspired to reconnect with a place I am grounded to emotionally and I hope these paintings help the viewer to see Italy through artist’s eyes.

Horton Hayes Fine Art is located at 30 State Street in downtown Charleston.  Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday 12:30pm to 5:00pm.  For more information visit hortonhayes.com or call (843) 958-0014.

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Horton, Groves and Runquist Selected for the 2010 Salon International Exhibition

Paintings by Horton Hayes Fine Art artists, Mark Kelvin Horton, Chris Groves and Shannon Runquist, were each juried into the 2010 Salon International Exhibition. This year’s show will include paintings from nearly 150 artists selected from 1288 entries representing 46 United States plus the District of Columbia and 18 additional countries.  The event will begin with an Awards Banquet on Friday April 9th at 6pm with the official opening on Saturday April 10th.  The exhibition will take place at The International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art at the Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art in San Antonio, Texas.  This is the second consecutive year that paintings by Shannon and Mark have been selected for the show.

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Mark Horton and Chris Groves Present Dual Instruction Landscape Workshop, April 22-25, 2010

Have you ever wanted to paint historic Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry? Well, the perfect opportunity is  presenting itself to those who wait! On April 22-25, 2010, two well-known Charleston artists, Chris Groves and Mark Horton, will join forces to present a dual landscape workshop. Benefit from the instruction of two established landscape artists who will share their individual and distinct techniques and approaches to painting.  Emphasis will be on helping students discover their own personal style and process in creating their work.
Workshop topics will include:
1. Painting Outdoors; Field Study; Studio Painting; Various Techniques and Materials
2. Using Photographic and Field Study Reference to Complete a Studio Painting
3. History of Landscape Painting
4. Building Your Business as an Artist; Gallery Representation; Self Promotion and Pricing Your Art
4. One-on-One Instruction and Critique

Enrollment is limited to 20 students.
For additional details see hortonhayes.com or call
Horton Hayes Fine Art at (843) 958-0014.

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Artists Chris Groves and Mark Horton Invited to Participate in Montgomery Museum of Fine Art Fundraiser

Works by Horton Hayes Fine Art Artists Mark Kelvin Horton and Chris Groves have been selected for the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art’s Biennial Fundraiser Auction.  A committee of Museum volunteers has traveled the country seeking works of art in all media to tempt the collectors of Montgomery.  The Silent Auction will be held on Thursday, February 25, from 6:30 pm to 9 pm, and tickets are $50.00 per person for an elegant cocktail reception and the chance to bid on over 450 works of art.

The Live Auction is Saturday, February 27, beginning at 6:00 pm, with tickets at $150.00 per person, featuring cocktails and dinner, with a live auction of 35 exceptional works from galleries around the United States. Proceeds from the Biennial Art Auction support the exhibition, education and acquisition programs of the Museum.  Please call the Museum’s Development Department at 334-240-4333 for more information regarding this event.

Horton Hayes Fine Art is located at 30 State Street in downtown Charleston, SC.  Come meet the artists and see them at work. They will be present and painting at Horton Hayes during the afternoons (except as noted) on the following dates:

MARK KELVIN HORTON:
Sunday, February 7th
Sunday, February 14th

SHANNON RUNQUIST:
Saturday, February 6th
Friday, February 11th (10am-2pm)

NANCY HOERTER:
Friday, February 12th
Saturday, March 6th
Saturday, March 20th
Saturday, March 27th

CHRIS GROVES:
Saturday, February 13th
Saturday, March 6th

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Horton Hayes Fine Art Artists Receive Recognition in International Painting Competition

Works of Horton Hayes Fine Art artists Chris Groves, Shannon Runquist and Mark Kelvin Horton have been selected in the First Annual Autumn Arts International Painting Challenge and Competition. The results were recently announced and Chris Groves’ painting “A State of Becoming” won first prize in the oil category.  In addition, Shannon Runquist and Mark Kelvin Horton each had a painting selected for the Juror’s Choice Award.  This was a international juried show with nearly 1000 entries. Only 30 paintings won awards and were selected to be part of an exhibition at the Bucks County Gallery of Fine Art in New Hope, PA, beginning March 1, 2010.

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