Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Hilary Douwes, Office of Special Events, 301-228-2846
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 16, 2005

LOCAL ARTISTS TO PAINT GARDEN TOUR

Eight local artists will portray their vision of several of Frederick’s finest gardens during this year’s “Beyond the Garden Gates” Garden Tour. Celebrate Frederick presents the event on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 from 1 to 5 p.m.
One artist will be stationed in each of the eight gardens on the self-guided tour. Six of this year’s gardens are private, two are public. Guests are often surprised to see an artist’s view of the gardens.
The following is a list of the artists:
Jodi O’Connell is a Hood College graduate who also has a Master of Arts Degree in Art Therapy. She has worked as an art therapist, art instructor and recently began a decorative painting and faux finishing business. Her passion is painting Maryland landscapes and still-life, especially capturing the effects of light on shapes, edges, shadows and colors.
Linda Harrison-Parsons has received many awards for her work, which has been exhibited internationally, nationally and locally. She specializes in wildlife and nature scenes, embedding prints and drawings into handmade papers. She has also created workshops and school programs for public, private and home-schooled students.
John Connors is a familiar name on the local art scene. He has turned out award-winning work in both graphic design and fine arts for more than 25 years. His painting “Schifferstadt Magic” won the Holiday Art Competition in 1997. John is also a board member of several local cultural and educational organizations.
Marilu Tousignaut’s work can be found in collections in North America, Europe and Asia, as well as in several Frederick stores and galleries. She recently turned her focus to the natural world, and is currently using birds she can see from her studio windows as subjects for a series called “Birdsong”.
Noralie Katsu studied painting and portraiture at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington D.C. Her work has been exhibited in many group and one-person shows, and is in collections around the world. Landscape paintings are her main focus, and nature and its colors and textures are a persistent thread in all of her work. She is active in the Frederick County Art Association and the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center.
Carl Butler first showed an affinity for art while a young child. A Brunswick High School graduate, his work has been displayed throughout Frederick County and in Baltimore. The Brunswick Railroad Museum commissioned him to paint the piece which is the focal point of the exhibit on the museum’s third floor. He is also a member of the Frederick County Art Association and the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center.
Ann Luudahl has also been an artist since she was a child. She has studied at the Maryland Institute of Art, the Corcoran School of Art in Washington D.C. and Montgomery College, and is currently a student of local award-winning artist Mary Pfister. She enjoys painting pastoral scenes and tranquil lily ponds.
Valerie Raba began painting three years ago as a student of Mary Pfister. She has recently completed her first painting, a 3x4 foot oil, of a draft horse. Valerie looks forward to tackling local scenery, gardens, portraits and more horses!
Tickets for the tour, which is held rain or shine, are $12 and are available at several downtown Frederick locations. For more information, please call 301-228-2844, or visit www.celebratefrederick.com.