Montauk Pioneer - May 16, 2008 - Fine Arts Festival

On Memorial Day Weekend the Montauk Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the first ever Fine Arts Festival a three day event to be held at the Montauk Soccer Field. Admission is free and the hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Chamber's Executive Director, Laraine Creegan, feels that the benefits to the members and to the entire Village will be immense. Presented by Paragon Art Festivals, the event is expected to draw significant crowds of art enthusiasts to Montauk for the holiday weekend.

Bill Kinney, photographer, show director and organizer reviewed over 300 applications from artists all over the USA, selecting 125 nationally recognized artists from 31 states. Kinney's goal is to create the highest fine art destination in the Northeast. Without a doubt, the high quality of fine art sets the standard for the art industry and this juried show will be rated to determine future successes. "These artists are the 'rock stars' of the art industry," Kinney enthusiastically told me.

The amazing worldwide respected artist, Paul Elson, who summered in Montauk for many years with his family in their beach house directly above the Atlantic Ocean, was a Navy pilot with two Vietnam tours under his belt before becoming a commercial artist. In 1995 he decided to work completely on his own and developed what he calls "Photo Impressionism." His images resemble watercolor paintings; creations of an artist who has spent years as a student of French Impressionism. Elson's unique art begins by capturing images photographically, then painting or drawing on the print, re-photographing and scanning the image on archival watercolor paper. Uniquely beautiful, Elson's prints are sought after all over the globe.

When a Chinese emissary representing the Chinese Ministry of Culture, visited New York City in 2001 and had the opportunity to see Elson's work, the Chinese government invited him to lecture, teach and exhibit his art in Beijing. Visiting the cities and the vast, barren spaces with boundless vistas in China many times since, Paul found the Chinese to be fascinated in the way he would shoot images. As are most all photographers, Elson's eye is like a camera; he sees in different lenses. "It's a talent you're born with," he explained, "either you develop it or you don't." To The Eastern Eye, Paul Elson's new book published in China, will be released this month. What a treat is in store for all of those who visit his festival booth!

The Montauk Artists Group will also be represented, hosting a fundraiser and setting up a children's program at the fair. A silent auction of nationally known artists will be included to help their children's program. Media will abound and cameras from WVVH as well as several local radio stations will be broadcasting directly from the festival field. Enthusiasm for this special treat has already begun and the Title Sponsor sold in a matter of moments to Atlantic Beach Realty Group's, Lynden Restrepo, the much admired devotee to all that benefits Montauk.

Residents of Montauk and those who come from nearby and distant locales will discover an extraordinary artistic paradise with over twelve categories of art creations. Everyone will have the pleasure of viewing the remarkable talents of many of our country's formidable and imaginative artists during this special holiday weekend. To be sure, this is a productive, exciting first for the Village of Montauk. It is the talk of the town!