LEDA Art Invitational '08
Third Rotation Exhibit

Artists Lynn Dermott and Ginny Boyd, both of Denver, install the newest rotation of the LEDA Art Invitational '08 in the LEDA Board Room Gallery located in downtown Lincolnton.
Photo Contributed/TCS

STAFF REPORTS

LINCOLNTON -- The Lincoln Economic Development Association (LEDA) announces the opening of the Third Rotation of the LEDA Art Invitational '08, which began November 3, 2008 and runs through January 7, 2009, in the LEDA Board Room Gallery located at 502 East Main Street in historic downtown Lincolnton .

The LEDA Art Invitational '08 is a unique, collaborative effort between economic development professionals and invited professional artists who have lived and/or worked in Lincoln County . The purpose of the LEDA Art Invitational '08 is to showcase the cultural richness of Lincoln County to visitors from around the world and to local business, community, and civic leaders who visit the LEDA facility. In addition to the Lincoln County highlighting its "creative class", the participating artists receive exposure to potential corporate art buyers and influencers to help them build their art businesses. The exhibit is available for viewing from 9 A.M.-5 P.M., Monday through Friday.

Developed as an annual event, the LEDA Art Invitational consists of three or four rotations of artwork each year by the same invited artists selected annually. 2008 artists exhibiting their original works of two-dimensional art include: Karen Banker (www.karenbanker.com), Ginny H. Boyd (www.silvermosquito.com), Lynn Dermott, Tom Owen (http://owenart.us), Dene Scott Smith, Zac Vinson, Kae Wright, and Beth Yarbrough (www.bethyarbrough.com). All artists create their work for professional trade with many owning their own art businesses. Mary Whisonant, art history professor, emerita, at the University of South Carolina Beaufort , is serving as the guest curator for this year's exhibit.

"The impact of the LEDA Art Invitational on our organization and the people who visit our facility has been terrific and more than we anticipated." states Barry Matherly, Executive Director of LEDA, "Not only does the high quality artwork showcase Lincoln County's creative class, but the changing art exhibits help to open up conversations with our visiting guests, which helps us build stronger relationships, a key element in economic development."

Karen Banker, Program Director of the 2008 inaugural exhibit said, "Art is universal and can be instrumental in uniting people of diverse backgrounds, an important aspect of building community and luring businesses to our area. In addition, the artists benefit from the added exposure they receive from potential buyers and corporate licensors, which helps build their professional art businesses. It's a unique joint effort and a successful one."

The idea for the LEDA Art Invitational '08 was sparked when Banker approached Matherly earlier in the year about his plans for filling the wall space of the newly constructed LEDA building. Upon his reply, Banker suggested using the space to showcase the cultural richness of Lincoln County to visiting guests by displaying original artwork produced by professional artists who have lived or worked in Lincoln County . Seeing the benefits, Matherly took the idea to LEDA's board and it was approved

Two previous 2008 rotations have been exhibited including the first rotation that ran May 1, 2008 through July 31, 2008, and the second rotation that ran August 1, 2008 through October 31, 2008. Plans are currently underway for the LEDA Art Invitational '09, which will open in early January 2009.

For more information about the exhibit or about the participating artists, please contact Karen Banker at 704-906-7266 or email: karen@karenbanker.com, or Barry Matherly at 704-732-1511 or email: barry@lincolneda.org.

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