The Emerald Spring Exhibition 2012

“Ballet Folklórico Between Spring Showers” by Anna Lancaster

Exciting news for this month, my painting “Ballet Folklórico Between Spring Showers” was accepted into The Emerald Spring Exhibition 2012. This work was completed in 2011 and is an 18x 24 oil impasto on canvas.

This year’s Emerald Gallery Spring Exhibition runs from May 1st to June 1st, 2012. The Juror for this show is award winning Pastel Artist, Dawn Emerson of Terrebonne, Oregon. The artists reception is at the Emerald Gallery on Saturday, May 5th 5:30-7:30pm

The Emerald Art Center is located at 500 Main Street, Springfield, Oregon, 97477. Their contact phone number is 541-726-8595. The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm.

The Emerald Art Center Juried Spring Exhibition presents a challenge to area artists to strive for excellence through competition and by experiencing the works of other artists. The Emerald Spring Juried Art Exhibition is held each May. Emerald Art Center exhibits 50-60 juried art pieces selected from over 300 entries submitted from across the United States. This program expands the horizons of area artists and residents, giving them the opportunity to view quality fine art on a broad scale from artists around the country, while bringing national recognition to Springfield. Generous award donations from center supporters make this exhibition very popular with national artists; a night mare for the Juror but very exciting for Oregon local artists who are chosen to participate.

The idea for, “Ballet Folklórico Between Spring Showers” was conceived at the first Wilsonville Festival of the Arts in 2004. It depicts a 'Ballet Folklórico' dance troop that valiantly performed despite Oregon’s predictably, unpredictable spring weather. It was one of the first times I participated in an outdoor art fair in the Oregon area. As I recall, it was a cool and rainy June exhibit. The dance troop was determined to perform. They raced in and out from a canopy as occasional sun brakes interrupted the rain. It was a breath taking sight to see the beautiful colors reflecting from the wet macadam beneath the dancer’s feet as they excitedly moved through their choreographed traditional numbers. The dancers looked as though their ages ranged from grade school through high school. The kids were having a blast at the challenge of completing a dance. It was like the sun was shy invited dancer who kept changing his mind and leaving the dance floor before for the music stopped.

It was one of those days that exemplified my dad’s favorite saying, “The best camera you can own is the one you have with you when that unforgettable moment presents its self.” I had forgotten mine. I agonized as the beautiful moment passed and I was unable to capture it in pictures. In 2010, I participated in the Silverton Festival of the Arts. Thankfully I did have my camera that weekend when a Ballet Folklórico troop shared their traditions of Mexican dance. I must have taken 100 pictures of the different routines and beautiful folk costumes. I finally had the photo reference material to express the beauty I saw in 2004. I have several paintings in progress from that photo shoot. “Ballet Folklórico Between Spring Showers” is my first completed work from those images I took in Silverton.

Wikipedia states that Ballet Folklórico de México is a folkloric ballet ensemble in Mexico City. For five decades it has presented dances in costumes that reflect the traditional culture of Mexico. The Mexico City ensemble has appeared under the name, Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández. The women usually go bare foot while dancing. The ballet works and musical pieces reflect various regions and folk music genres of Mexico. Many of the ensemble's works reflect the traditions of indigenous Mesoamerican culture.

Emerald Art Center always do such a nice job, I’ve made it in twice over the past 10 years. It’s always an honor and exciting pleasure to participate.