The Arts Council of Mendocino County, with support from the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce, will launch a new whale art event during the 27th Annual Fort Bragg Whale Festival scheduled for March 21 - 22, 2009.

“Art Splash…Whale Migration” will feature art by more than 70 professional and community artists whose work will be sold at silent auction to raise money for the programs and services of benefit to artists and the community provided by the Arts Council, and the Chamber’s Student Scholarship Program.


Each participating individual or group was given a blank whale template, with approximately three months to creatively adorn and add their personal interpretation. There were two categories of participation: Professional Artist and Community/Youth.

Yorgen Quent Kvinsland, local artist and owner of ArtStruct, sculpted and cast a three-dimensional whale blank that was used in the Professional Artist division. Charlie Bell, owner of Surf and Sand Lodge, cut out over 40 wooden whale blanks that were used in the Youth/Community Division. Bob Rhoades, Professor of Art at College of the Redwoods, designed the template for the wooden whale.

Yorgen Quent Kvinsland with the three-dimensional
whale to be used in the Professional Artist division.

Charlie Bell with the wooden whale to be used in the Community/Youth division.
 

.Participation in the Professional Artist division was by invitation to members of the Arts Council of Mendocino County. The Community/Youth division was open to all – schools and community groups were especially encouraged to participate. There was no entry fee, but those who took a whale were asked to honor their commitment by returning their whale to the Chamber of Commerce office by the submission deadline. Those participating in the Professional Artist division had the option to retain a commission of the auction price or donate the full proceeds to the event.

The Chamber of Commerce and Arts Council will host an Art Splash Preview Party & Artist Reception on Saturday, March 21 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at Town Hall in Fort Bragg. The silent auction will happen at Town Hall on Sunday, March 22 from 10am – 2pm, with the auction closing at 2pm. Both events are free and open to the public and will feature live music and refreshments.

If you are interested in sponsoring a whale, please contact the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce at (707) 961-6300. Professional Artist Whale Sponsorships are $125 and Community/Youth Wooden Whale Sponsorships are $50.


More information about Art Splash is available at http://www.artsmendocino.org/html/artsplash.htm