the artist in the news

One of the advantages of being a ten-year career journalist is that I know how to write a decent news release, even if I figure the chances of anyone picking it up are pretty slim. Maybe she'll get mentioned in one of those "Around the Town" fluff pieces in the newspaper. Who can tell?

Here follows the news release:

NOVA BASTILLE ARTIST SHOWS WORK AT HOOVER POINT GALLERY
At 6 years old, she is youngest artist to exhibit at Academy of Art of Hoover Point

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOOVER POINT, Iowa (Feb. 1, 2006) -- Original art work by Evangeline Learn will remain on display at the Academy of Art of Hoover Point and Gallery through February.

Learn, 6, has been enrolled formally at the academy since the start of 2005, when she began taking drawing lessons. Since then, she has been enrolled a total five sessions at the academy, in addition to participating in summer art camp at the academy last year. She drew all 10 of the featured pictures in the exhibition as part of her course work at the academy.

She is the youngest artist to exhibit at the gallery, by 11 years.

The exhibit began with an opening Jan. 28, during which Learn explained her choice of medium for each drawing and discussed her inspiration and technique for each. Fifteen members of Learn's family and friends attended.

"Evangeline's skill, while it's always been good for her age, has blossomed at the art academy," said David Learn, 35, her father. "We're grateful to the academy for not only encouraging her skill but giving her the confidence to display her art in a public setting like this for other people to see."

A Nova Bastille resident, Learn lives with her parents and younger sister. She attends first grade at Gary Barker Charter School in Nova Bastille. As could be expected, she found the attention to her artwork rewarding and encouraging.

"I'm going to keep drawing for the rest of my life," said Learn, who sold five prints of her artwork after the show.

The Academy of Art of Hoover Point and Gallery offers art instruction in the classic studio tradition, under the directorship of Ana Soto-Canino of Hoover Point. Located at 727 Raritan Ave. for the past seven years, it offers courses in drawing, painting, sculpture and art appreciation, and hosts regular art exhibits of its students' work.

To schedule a visit to the gallery or for more information about the academy, call (abc) def-ghij.

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