Pioneer Theatre Company's Loge Gallery Opens FOUR SIGHT Exhibition Today

Pioneer Theatre Company's Loge Gallery presents an exhibit of paintings by local artists Sheryl Thornton, Laurel Hart, Candy Rideout and Debra Russell. The show, FOUR SIGHT, features four painters, four perspectives. The collection will be on display during PTC's production of AN INSPECTOR CALLS, today, February 19, through March 5, 2016.

Sheryl Thornton is a Utah artist. In 1997 Sheryl was commissioned by the State of Utah to paint four watercolor landscapes as part of the permanent collection in the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City. Her work is also included in the permanent collections in the Utah State Capitol and Salt Lake Community College. In 2005 Sheryl changed her focus to painting in oil paint.

"My love of texture led me to oil paint and I have never looked back. I love the contrast of juicy washes (my watercolor influence), thick bold brush strokes and palette knife, all of which are usually present in my work."Landscapes are her most common subject but she also enjoys painting still life and animals. Her approach is impressionistic and bold, with an emphasis on mood. "When I decide on a subject it is always because something compels me to paint it. I find a painting will lack conviction if I haven't been there or felt something about the subject. I try very hard to transfer that feeling to the painting which hopefully is conveyed to the viewer. Painting is my "life's blood" and I am so grateful for the deeper level of "seeing" that it has given me"

Laurel Hart graduated from the University of Utah in Education. Laurel's paintings have hung in many national juried exhibitions including those of the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, Rocky Mountain National, Watercolor West and the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies. Her work has been featured in The Artist's Magazine, Watercolor Magic and the popular watercolor books, Splash Eight, and Splash Nine. She is the author of the book, Putting People in Your Paintings, published by North Light Books in 2007. Laurel is the recipient of the Gold Medal of Honor presented by the American Watercolor Society at the 2005 International Exhibition, which she considers one of the highest honors she has received as an artist. Laurel is a new signature member of the American Watercolor Society, the fulfillment of a lifetime dream for her, and holds additional signature memberships in the National Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, Western Federation Society, and the Utah Watercolor Society. Her paintings have won numerous awards and can be found in public and private collections across the country, including the Utah State Capitol Building.

Candy Rideout is a local Utah artist. She graduated from the University of Utah would a double major in Education and Drawing and Painting. Rideout has over forty years of experience and her oil paintings are included in several private collections in the United States and Europe. She has served as the Chairwoman for the Holladay Arts Council. Recent awards include 1st place in the Intermountain Artist's Oil Division 2012, 1st place in the Holladay Plein Air 2013, and 3rd place in the State Fair Plein Air 2013. She has also placed in the Midway Plein Air 2012, 2013, 2014 and a purchase award in 2015. This year Rideout was also received 1st place in the professional division of the Intermountain Artist's Spring show. Her paints are currently shown at Relics in Holladay, Evergreen Gallery in Salt Lake City and Snake Creek Grill in Heber, Utah.

Debra Russell's first art class was at the University of Utah Children's Summer School at the age of 8, which began a lifelong passion for the arts. She studied piano at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, became a master gardener and, most recently, has focused her energy on oil painting. She first discovered her talent for painting when she had the opportunity to paint "plein air" with the late LeConte Stewart. With Mr. Stewart's encouragement, she began painting in the late 80's. Motherhood happily interrupted her work for several years, but she was able to return to oil painting 10 years ago.

IF YOU GO:

The Loge Gallery

FOUR SIGHT, an exhibit by local artists Sheryl Thornton, Laurel Hart, Candy Rideout and Debra Russell.

February 19 through March 5, 2016

Open Mondays - Fridays, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays until noon

The Loge Gallery, Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 2nd Level, 300 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City

Admission is free during business hours, or before, during or after performances.

For more information, call the Box Office at 801-581-6961 (Open 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Mon - Fri) or visit www.pioneertheatre.org.

The Loge Gallery lives on the 2nd level of the Roy W. and Elizabeth E. Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, located on the University of Utah campus at 300 South and 1400 East in Salt Lake City, easily accessible by TRAX light rail. Free parking is also available and the theatre is equipped with an elevator, handicap parking, hearing assistance devices and other easy-access features.

Image: Rock'n Reds by Candt Rideout

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