Inspired by Mercer Island Students, Orantes’ Paintings Feature Island Scenes
It’s September and students are back in school, the weather is getting cooler and all the pieces of my April 2014 proposal: Luther Burbank Playground Mosaic Enhancement have been accomplished. The custom painting by José Orantes shimmers in the 38′ x 5′ mosaic mural and the mosaics created with students in our workshops now enhance the playground. The project culminates with José Orantes “Birds in Flight” Artist Exhibition at the Mercer Gallery at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center from September 12 through October 28, 2016.
Gallery Opening Reception for José Orantes
Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 6:30PM – 8:00PM
Mercer Gallery @ The Mercer Island Community and Event Center
8236 SE 24th Street, Mercer Island
Artwork is for sale with a percentage of the sales going to support arts and cultural programming of the Mercer Island Arts Council.
The framing of Jose Orantes’ paintings have also been supported by an Arts, Heritage and Preservation Grant from 4Culture.
Throughout this project, José Orantes has been painting in his studio. José’s series of new paintings for this gallery exhibit feature Mercer Island and PNW scenes created in his own artistic and whimsical style. Orantes found himself inspired by the Mercer Island students we worked with in our workshops. This inspiration, along with his talent and imagination captures the vitality of Mercer Island and the Pacific Northwest in vibrant colors.
José, Nancy and I were excited to see how the nearly 50 paintings and prints created by the artist filled the Mercer Gallery. We hope to see you at the reception this Thursday night, September 15th – 6:30 – 8 p.m. @ the Mercer Island Community and Event Center.
The Luther Burbank Playground Mosaic Art Enhancement proposed by Sandy Glass was funded by the Mercer Island Arts Council. The 3rd– 5th grade workshops, not fully funded in the grant received supplemental support by the Mercer Island Community Fund and also from a private donation to honor the memory of Aaron and Mickie Freed. José Orantes is also grateful for a grant received by 4Culture to help frame his art for his gallery exhibition.
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