EVENT: 'From Russia With Art' Exhibit at Rose State
DATE: Through November 22
 "Summer" by Irina Ryabikova is one of many paintings in "From Russia With Art: Past to Present," an exhibit of pieces from the private collection of Elizabeth Hammons and from two Russian schools, open weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. until November 22 in the Rose State College Communications Center lobby. |
"From Russia With Art: Past to Present," an exhibit of pieces from the private collection of Elizabeth Hammons and from two Russian schools, is open weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. until Nov. 22 in the Rose State College Communications Center lobby. The collection includes Russian Orthodox icons, folk art and paintings from the Socialist Realism period and contemporary Russian art.
Hammons is president of International Artists, Inc. In 1995, she visited Russia and, on some of her art excursions to local galleries and art fairs, began to purchase oil paintings.
"The artists I met were highly trained at the some of the best art schools and the supply of good, affordable art was vast," Hammons said. "I soon developed the idea of beginning an art import business thinking it would be a great way to do business in Russia. Upon my return, I formed a corporation, International Artists, Inc., and began to explore ways of marketing and selling the paintings.
"I have gradually fine-tuned my business and now work more on promoting just a few of the better artists I have met in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. In addition, I have purchased a group of 18th and 19th century Russian religions icons and am continuing to collect paintings from the Socialist Realism period. My interest in Russian history, especially during the Soviet period, has been a motivation for searching for these unique works."
Also on display is modern Russian children's art from the Voshod Fine Arts School #6 in Ivanteevka, Moscow Region; and the Children's Art Center in Froucensky District of Saratov, Russia.
The exhibit, part of Rose State's Visual Arts Series, is a partnership with Oklahoma City Sister Cities International and International Visitors Council. It is free and open to the public.
For more information, call the Rose State Office of Special Events at 736-0313 or visit the Web site at www.rose.edu/commfriend/visualarts.