ST. JOHNS RIVER ARTIST EXPEDITION SUPPORTS PRESERVATION OF WATERWAY.
DE BARY HALL EXHIBIT SET with WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AS BENEFICIARY.
A river expedition which took place on the St. Johns River last June has yielded a series of oil paintings entitled the American Heritage River Series. The official unveiling of the paintings is set to take place at De Bary Hall in De Bary on Thursday, February 27th at 6:30pm. The project benefits the St. Johns River Water Management District, the American Heritage River Initiative and the De Bary Hall Historic site. The fundraiser will include a wine tasting, river painting exhibit and display of Rolls Royce & Bentley vehicles.
DE BARY, FL- FEBRUARY 2003- A river expedition which took place on the St. Johns River last June has yielded a series of oil paintings entitled the American Heritage River Series. The official unveiling of the paintings is set to take place at De Bary Hall in De Bary on Thursday, February 27th at 6:30pm. The project benefits the St. Johns River Water Management District, the American Heritage River Initiative and the De Bary Hall Historic site. The fundraiser will include a wine tasting, river painting exhibit and display of Rolls Royce & Bentley vehicles.
The first leg of the journey for this series of paintings covered approximately 85 miles of river and began in Deland, Florida at the Holly Bluff Marina. Once on the river, artist Keith Martin Johns and his wife Linda navigated the waterways searching for the inspirational locations that would eventually become images on canvas. The trip lasted 10 days with Johns using a houseboat to navigate the more accessible areas of the river and a canoe to reach the remote back water" regions. A third generation Florida artist, Keith has painted natures capes" for the past 25 years. According to Johns, "I was trying to accomplish a body of work that would act as an everlasting tribute to the St. Johns River".
The official unveiling of the series will take place at the Victorian era mansion, DeBary Hall on February 27th at 6:30 pm. The gala which will have an almost great Gatsby flair to it will include a wine tasting, exhibition of St. Johns River paintings and a display of Rolls Royce and Bentley automobiles. Beneficiaries include the DeBary Hall historic site, the St. Johns River Water Mangement District and the American Heritage River Initiative. One of the original oil paintings will be auctioned that evening with 100% of the funds going directly to the St. Johns River Water Management District. In addition, a portion of sales proceeds from a limited edition giclee entitled Bent Low" will go to benefit the American Heritage River Initiative. Finally, 100% of the admission price ($35.00 per person or $60.00per couple) will go to De Bary Hall for its preservation. Organizers were especially pleased to find out author and filmmaker Bill Belleville who wrote the book RIVER OF LAKES, a journey on Floridas St. Johns River" would be attending the event.
Nancy Maddox, Volusia County's Cultural and Heritage project manager was one of the first to order the official fundraising print Bent Low" which will hang in the County Council chambers. According to organizer Joe Sabatini, "After seeing the original oil painting Bent Low" at the St. Johns River Summit in Jacksonville recently, Volusia County representatives were clearly motivated to support the American Heritage River Initiative and ordered a print on the spot".
When asked why the St. Johns River was chosen as the setting for this project, event coordinator Joe Sabatini, had this to say We were searching for a location that would convey our message of preservation and conservation as well as appeal to a vast majority of people…with such a historic influence on Florida commerce and as a source of natural beauty the St. Johns River was a perfect choice…" A project supporter, Peter Cohen of ULTIMATE MOTORWORKS in Longwood was quoted as saying…"We feel it is vital to support this project as it draws much needed attention to the needs of all Florida waterways."
For information on attending the exhibit contact Dorothy Beard at De Bary Hall Historic site
at 386-668-3840 or Dennis Kaminski at 352-385-9450
WHAT:St.Johns River painting exhibit, wine tasting, Rolls Royce display at DeBary Hall,De Bary. Benefits: The St. Johns River Water Management District, De Bary Hall and the American Heritage River Initiative. WHEN: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 27th.
Expedition information at: WWW.EUROPAGALLERY.NET ;
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