Gallery Opening Reception for Artist Eden Hopkins Exhibit at Sammamish Valley Arts Center

“Rural Landscapes” is the upcoming solo show of local artist, Eden Hopkins, exhibiting at the Sammamish Valley Arts Center May 6-31, 2011. The public is invited to meet her and attend the public opening reception at the Sammamish Valley Arts Center, 6-8 p.m., Friday, May 6. Refreshments will be served.

 Artist Eden Hopkins states, “I have a keen interest in landscape paintings, as well as sharing narrative stories with my pieces. Plein air, or outdoor landscape painting, is a favorite activity. Animals invariably approach my easel while I am creating art in their environment, which in the past year has included a curious chicken, mink, and brown bear. I have painted in all types of Northwest climates, including driving rain and 28-degree weather where I was surrounded by sheets of thick frost that melted into icicles by the painting session’s conclusion.”

 “Rural Landscapes” will feature several plein air paintings. This past winter, Woodinville City Hall showcased 33 of her pieces in the “Landscapes of the West” solo show

from December 2010, to February 2011. Eden Hopkins’ artwork was showcased in

40 exhibits, 5 states and 4 solo shows in 2010. During the past 5 years, her artwork has shown in several museums and national exhibitions.

 She earned her Foundation Drawing certificate in 2008, and Landscape Oil Painting Atelier certificate in 2009, from the Gage Academy of Art in Seattle. Hopkins was educated in illustration at the University of the Arts London, graphic design and photojournalism at the University of Oregon in Eugene, and theatrical design at the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland. She has more than 10 years experience working in the museum industry.

 Hopkins is a member of the Sammamish Valley Arts Center and a founding member of the Landscape Painters Northwest in Puget Sound, WA. See more of her art at www.edenhopkins.com.