Vivartis Arts Festival

CELEBRATED ART LEGEND KEN PAINE TO OPEN VIVARTIS 2008

Celebrated British artist Ken Paine will officially open VivArtis 2008, Southern England's largest art and sculpture show and kick start a three week long Arts extravaganza of the various arts at King Edward's School in Witley, Surrey.

 

VivArtis is one of the most eagerly awaited events in the Surrey Arts calendar and will take place from Sunday 21 September through to Sunday 12 October 2008 featuring art, sculpture, music, drama and photography. Now in its 12th year the Festival continues to go from strength to strength. Organisers expect over 400 professional and amateur artists to exhibit at the art and sculpture show which is at the heart of VivArtis.

 

VivArtis always attracts a huge following from London dealers to fellow artists, people with a passion for art and those that simply want to buy a painting or sculpture to appreciate and enjoy at home. Many schools also visit during the three week festival.

 

Ken Paine is one of Britain's most experienced portrait artists and renowned for his intensive observations of people from all walks of life. He is the only Englishman to have been vice president of the distinguished French Pastel Society whose past members have included Degas, Rodin and Matisse. At present four of his works are on permanent loan to L'Abbaye de Flaran, near Toulouse. He is their only living exhibitor and other pieces in the current collection include works by heavy weights such as Cezanne, Constable, Rodin and Picasso. Ken has generously agreed to exhibit at VivArtis and will hold a masterclass for some of the school's senior pupils.

 

This year, among the prominent artists and sculptors exhibiting at the show, will be Ev Meynell. He has developed a strong following for his impressive sculptures and has successfully experimented with metamorphism, creating ambiguous life forms inspired by driftwood, clouds and flames.

 

In addition to the quality artwork on display in the large exhibition hall, visitors to VivArtis will again be able to enjoy the Sculpture Trail, run in conjunction with the Surrey Sculpture Society, in the school's leafy grounds featuring dramatic and eye catching sculptures.

 

This year, for the first time, there will be a dedicated exhibition during the weekends, of the work of members of The Arthouse, part of the Meath Home in Godalming, celebrating the talents of adults living with learning disabilities.

 

Evelyn Phillips, Director of the Art Exhibition adds, "I am very excited that VivArtis attracts so much talent and enthusiasm from artists of different abilities and styles. I am particularly pleased to include work from the Arthouse artists."

 

Comments Susie Spragg, Festival Director, "This year we expect even more visitors to attend VivArtis. In addition to the Art Exhibition there will be lots of events for local school children, including a choral day and Shakespeare performances. We will also have a fantastic open air finale, with an ABBA tribute band and a firework display."

 

Vivartis 2008 will be open daily at King Edward's School, Witley, Surrey from 21 September - 12 October between 10am and 5pm. Admission is free. Further details from Festival Director, Susie Spragg: 01428 686727. Alternatively click on the VivArtis Arts Festival button for more information about this auspicious event.

 

For further information please contact:
Susie Spragg
01428 686727
Email: spraggsj@kesw.surrey.sch.uk