LEXARTS NEWS RELEASE

Contact:     Maury Sparrow
                    Communications Director
                    859.255.2951 EXT 120
                    859.351.3502 MOBILE
                    msparrow@lexarts.org
                   
May 13, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

LexArts Announces University Open 2014
Lexington, KY- LexArts is pleased to announce the 2014 University Open. Now in its 8th year, University Open is a juried competition and exhibition between fine arts majors attending Kentucky universities. The exhibit will be on display May 16 - June 20 at the Downtown Arts Center City Gallery. LexArts will host a special opening reception and awards ceremony on Friday, May 16 from 5:30 -7PM.

"University Open provides an exceptional opportunity for Kentucky's emerging artists to be critically judged amongst their regional peers," said Jim Clark, President & CEO of LexArts. "It is exciting to see the wealth of talent that exists in this next generation of Kentucky artists."

Students compete to be featured in the exhibit and for cash prizes. The Best of Show winner will be awarded $500, Second Prize is $300 and Third Prize is $100. Exhibiting artists and university representatives, along with the general public, are invited to the awards ceremony where they will also have the opportunity to meet the guest curator.
 
LexArts is pleased to welcome Mary Rezny as this year's guest juror. For over 25 years, Rezny has owned and managed a photographic studio that specializes in the photography of fine art works for museums, galleries, collectors and individual artists. These custom-finished images have appeared in numerous books, brochures and announcements throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. In addition, Rezny owns M.S. Rezny Studio/Gallery, which fosters an awareness and appreciation of the visual arts by representing and exhibiting contemporary, professional, experimental and innovative artists. 

In addition to the awards ceremony and reception, the exhibit will also be featured on the June 20th Gallery Hop, giving students yet another occasion to show their work to a well-versed arts audience.

EXHIBIT
May 16 - June 20

OPENING RECEPTION & AWARDS CEREMONY
May 16 | 5:30 - 7PM

GALLERY HOP
Friday, June 20 | 5 - 8PM

Downtown Arts Center CITY GALLERY | 141 East Main St | Lexington
TUE - FRI 10AM - 1PM & 2PM - 5PM | SAT 10AM - 4PM

CONTACT:   Nathan Zamarron
                    Community Arts Manager
                    859.255.2951 EXT 109

###

LexArts is a nonprofit community organization that works for the development of a strong and vibrant arts community as a means of enhancing the quality of life in central Kentucky. Through its annual Fund for the Arts, LexArts raises millions of dollars in support of local arts. In turn, LexArts underwrites the operating expenses for a variety of Partner Organizations, awards grants through its Community Arts Development, Creative Venture Fund and Professional Development programs, and offers affordable exhibition and performance space for arts organizations. Major support for LexArts programs and services is provided by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to LexArts with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.