"Memories of Florence," a painting by Jeff Chapman-Crane of Eolia, Ky.
ABINGDON, VA -- The Arts Depot, in conjunction with the 61st Annual Virginia Highlands Festival Juried Fine Art Show, has announced that the 2009 People's Choice/Best In Show Award goes to "Memories of Florence," a painting by Jeff Chapman-Crane of Eolia, Ky. The award was selected by votes cast by people visiting the exhibit during the first week of the show. The exhibition closed on Aug. 9.
The painting is an egg tempera perspective of a young woman in deep thought. Chapman-Crane employed fine detail to create a soft texture.
Chapman-Crane is a full-time professional artist from the Appalachian mountains of eastern Kentucky, where he has lived and practiced his art for more than 20 years. His art focuses on the culture of Appalachia, with an emphasis on portraits of mountain people. His work has been featured in "American Artist" magazine, and he is a four-time finalist in the magazine's annual portrait competition. He was the illustrator for the children's book "Ragsale," which won Best in Show at the 1995 New England Bookfair. He has also received several major awards during previous Virginia Highlands Festival Juried Fine Art Shows, and his work is represented by prestigious galleries in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in New York City.
Together with his wife and son, Chapman-Crane operates the Valley of the Winds Art Gallery, where works by all three family members may be seen. The gallery hosts an annual festival on the third Saturday of June featuring live music, poetry readings and other events.
For further information, please contact the Arts Depot at (276) 628-9091, e-mail at abingdonartsdepot@abingdon.com, or visit www.abingdonartsdepot.org.
