Works by Renowned and Local Talent on Display and for Sale December 2-10
In an annual festive holiday event that celebrates the artistic talents around the region and raises funds for Redding’s beloved community hub, The Mark Twain Library will host its 51st Annual Art Show from December 2-10, 2023 where juried artwork will hang as a gallery within the Library and in an online exhibition. All works will be for sale.
“I am continuously astounded by the quality of art that is for sale at the art show!” said Art Show Chair Sandra Lugar. “There is such a deep pool of talent in Redding and the surrounding area. The quality of this art show is well known and The Mark Twain Library is, in a sense, Redding's town center. It's such a vital part of this community,” Lugar added.
More than 200 local and regional artists submitted a total of over 300 works of art to this juried art show. With limited space in a working library, that number had to be pared down to fit amidst the stacks of books in the Library’s rotunda. This year, as Juror of Selection, celebrated Wilton landscape painter David Dunlop had the difficult task of ultimately deciding which works would hang on the Library’s walls. Doubling as the Juror of Awards, he also had the honor of presenting the prizes. Dunlop is internationally recognized for his luminous paintings that draw from both Renaissance techniques and contemporary science. His creative skills and deep knowledge of art history led to an invitation from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to give a series of lectures on landscape painting. His art is held in the collections of many major corporations, including Aetna, Citibank, Delta Airlines and IBM.
“David is a well-known artist, teacher and lecturer, and thanks to his keen eye, expertise, and thoughtful approach to the jurying process, visitors to the show can expect to see a dynamic exhibition of works in a variety of media, styles and subject matter,” said Art Exhibit Co-Chair Katherine Baumgartner.
Dunlop will be at the Library in person on Thursday, December 7 from 7-8pm for an informal program to explain how and why he selected the award winners. He will also take participants on a journey through the gallery to highlight other standouts and a few of his favorite works in the show.
The show will hang on panels throughout the Library’s rotunda as well as on its walls amid the stacks of books for an entire week, from Saturday, December 2nd through Sunday, December 10th and the Library will remain open to the public throughout. All works are for sale and will be available for viewing and purchasing both in person and in the Virtual Gallery.
The Art Show is a critical fundraiser for the Library. The Library retains a 35% commission on the sales. Additionally, a ticketed Preview Reception kicks off the exhibit on Friday, December 1st, of which partial proceeds benefit the Library. A number of artists also donate an additional work to include in a Silent Auction held during the Friday evening Preview Reception, of which all the proceeds go directly to support the Library. The Silent Auction is held online so bidders can be anywhere to participate.
To accompany the spirit of this long-standing tradition, the Library has also scheduled a number of art-themed programs throughout the month of December. In addition to the program with David Dunlop, there will be “Warm Winter Greetings: MTL’s Modern Makers” on Tuesday, December 5th @ 10:30am and the closing reception on Sunday, December 10 @ 3:00pm offers patrons an opportunity to mingle with some of the artists while listening to a live performance by the Joel Barlow Chamber Singers.
The Library Gallery is open to the public:
Saturday, Dec. 2nd: 10am-5pm
Sunday, Dec. 3rd: 1pm - 5pm
Monday, Dec. 4th: 10am - 8pm
Tuesday, Dec. 5th: 10am - 5pm
Wednesday, Dec. 6th: 10am - 5pm
Thursday, Dec 7th: 10am - 8pm
Friday, Dec. 8th: 10am - 5pm
Saturday, Dec. 9th: 10am - 5pm
Sunday, Dec. 10th: 1pm - 5pm (Closing Reception 3-5pm)
Credit cards accepted.
The Mark Twain Library Art Show is grateful to its sponsors: Meadow Ridge Retirement Community; Manhattan Beer Company / New York Wine & Spirits; Laura Ancona, William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty; and Star Distributors, Inc.; and, to media partner WSHU Public Radio.