International Art Show Features Owensboro Artists

Works of fine art from opposite sides of the globe come together in Useful symbiosis.

The international visual arts exchange includes works by 34 artists from Owensboro and its Sister City Olomouc in the Czech Republic. The show, which opened in Owensboro in September, will open in Europe on Friday, March 1.

The exhibition of 38 paintings and photographs is a collaboration of Owensboro Sister Cities and Regions, Owensboro Community and Technical College, Brescia University and Palacky University. It was exhibited in Owensboro September, October and November. The collection also was displayed in New York before moving to the U.S. Embassy in Prague, where it will open Friday and be on display through April 25. It will later be on exhibit at the Galerie Caesar and Palacky University, both in Olomouc.

Pam Wilson, executive director of Owensboro Sister Cities and Regions, said the opening is a very exciting event for all involved.

Its beautiful, Wilson said. Thousands of people all over the world will be able to see it.

The exhibition was organized and curated by Monty Helm, associate professor of art at OCTC, and Pavel Forman and Tereza Hruba, faculty members of Palacky University. It features works by faculty and alumni of the organizing schools as well as Owensboro area artists.

The program began with a proposal from the Olomouc Kraj, Olomoucs regional government to the Green River Area Development district and other Owensboro partners. Wilson and Helm pursued the idea during a Summer Study Abroad Program in 2011.

After meeting with representatives from the Kraj and Pavel Forman and Tereza Hruba representing Palacky University, we decided to go ahead with the art exchange and invited Brescia University to partner with us, Wilson said.

At its final stop in Europe, the exhibition will be part of Palacky Universitys 400th anniversary.

Its a real diverse show, Helm said. The art is excellent. It is a wonderful exhibition.