Yosemite Renaissance XXIII Exhibit Announcement

(originally distributed in February 2008, now slightly updated)

Yosemite Renaissance, which is now in its twenty-third year, is an annual art exhibit that encourages diverse interpretations of Yosemite and the environment of the Sierra Nevada.  Its goals are to bring together the works of serious contemporary artists that do not simply duplicate traditional representations; to establish a continuum with past generations of Yosemite artists; and to help re-establish visual art as a major interpretive medium of the landscape and a stimulus to the protection of the environment.  Historically, the arts have played a major role in the establishment of our park systems.  It is the hope of Yosemite Renaissance that they can be just as important in future efforts to preserve, protect and expand our parks.

From a near-record number of 465 entries, 38 paintings, photographs, sculptures and drawings by 34 artists were selected.  This year’s exhibit is unquestionably one of the best ever mounted by Yosemite Renaissance, including a broad range of works from the representational to the abstract to the conceptual. Photographer Ted Orland and print-maker Tom Killion (both of whom are former Yosemite Renaissance award-winners) selected the artists received the $4000 in cash awards.  The award-winners were announced at the opening reception on Friday, February 29th at the Yosemite Museum Gallery.

Artists included in Yosemite Renaissance XXIII are:  Linda R. Abbott (Arnold, CA), Tim Armstrong (San Francisco, CA), Dan Baumbach (Fairfax, CA), Susan Bolen (El Portal, CA), Edmond Bridant (Santa Rosa, CA), Elizabeth Carmel (Truckee, CA), Chella (Modesto, CA), Rozanne DiSilvestro (Sunnyvale, CA), Dorit Feldman (Tel Aviv, Israel), Ed Finkas (Fairfield, CA), Donald Fox (Houston, TX), Michael Frye (Mariposa, CA), Marian Gault (Monte Sereno, CA), Michael Gordon (Long Beach, CA), Peggy Hansen (Boulder Creek, CA), Mark Heliger (Oakhurst, CA), Alan Henriksen (Smithtown, CA), Terri Hill (Santa Clara, CA), Joan Hoffmann (Petaluma, CA), Vaughn Hutchins (Eureka, CA), Kit-Keung Kan (Bethesda, MD), Janet Morgan (Brooklyn, NY), William Neill (Oakhurst, CA), Penny Otwell (El Portal, CA), Tim Palmer (Port Orford, OR), Marc Pandone (Napa, CA), Bonnie Peterson (Elmhurst, IL), George Robertson (Danville, CA), Jon Shiu (Reedley, CA), Carol Rae Shockley (Mariposa, CA), David Eli Vaughn (Chatsworth, CA), Charlotte Watts (Sequim, WA), Peggy Wyman (Macomb, MO), Justyn Zolli (San Rafael, CA).  

Yosemite Renaissance XXIII was on view at the Yosemite Museum Gallery from March 1 until May 4 2008. (Fridays through Mondays, 10 to Noon and 1 to 4 PM)  An opening reception, to which the public was invited, was held from 5:30 to 7:30 PM on Friday, February 29.  The exhibit is traveling to the following locations: Mariposa (Government Center) May14 to July 25; Hanford (Kings Arts Center), August 8—September 21, Redwood City (San Mateo County Office of Education), October--November; Turlock (City Hall), November—December.

sance.org.