Antioch Fine Arts Foundation celebrates 10 years and Artist of the Month

ANTIOCH – As the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary, the group is proud to continue with its artist of the month program by naming one of its charter board members, Gayle Mondie, its Artist of the Month for August.

The foundation showcases the Artist of the Month's artwork in its gallery's White Room, 983 Main St. in Antioch, for the duration of the month.

"As an artist, having an exhibit to work toward is motivating," said Mondie, who paints with acrylics, oils and watercolors. "I would say my body of work is eclectic. I enjoy painting figures, structures, portraits, animals, landscapes with interesting skies, and more."

An exhibition reception for Mondie's art will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13, at the gallery.

Beverly Walczak, publicity director for the foundation, is a past Artist of the Month and said it is an exciting opportunity for those who are selected.

"It's kind of fun to see all your work in one place and to invite all your friends to see what you've been up to," Walczak said.

"Seeing my recent body of work come together in one room, set up for the public is satisfying," said Mondie. "It's not just paintings on the wall to me, it's an outward manifestation of my inner world, including places I have been, people I love, and gifts I have been given."
 
Walczak said because the gallery is nonprofit, programs like this help make sales, which further promotes the gallery.

The foundation offers also a variety of multimedia classes and workshops including painting, stained glass, drawing and paper making, among other media.

"We're hoping to bring the community the appreciation of art to learn and enjoy it more," she said.

The gallery also features work from between 50 to 60 local artists, and in general changes the artwork every two months, she said.

Only members of the foundation can be featured as an Artist of the Month.

Mondie is on the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation's board of directors and is president of the Transparent Watercolor Society.

Past featured artists include Roger Schule, who created a matchbook display, and Bonnielynn Brankey, who showed oil and watercolor landscapes, among many other local artists.

The foundation will host a fundraiser from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 25, at the Comfort Inn and Suites, 350 W. Highway 173, in Antioch that will include a silent auction with local artists' work. 

For more information about the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation and upcoming events, visit www.antiochfinearts.com. To learn more about Mondie and her work, visit www.gaylemondie.com.