Hot Springs watercolor artist Coni Hall will be the featured artist at The Avenue's next Art & Wine Dinner on Sunday at The Waters Hotel.
Guests can view a variety of her paintings at the event and hear about her inspiration and creative process during a brief gallery talk at the beginning of the evening. Executive chef Casey Copeland and his team at The Avenue will serve a special five-course dinner, made with seasonal and locally grown foods, with wine pairings.
Hall began painting later in life. When physical limitations began to slow her down around 1993, she decided it was the perfect time to follow her dream to master watercolor painting, a news release said. She took up brush and canvas and sought out weekend seminars and adjunct college classes to help her hone her skills, a news release said.
As her exhibit collection shows, she enjoys a variety of subject matter -- animals, people, architecture and landscapes -- and employs bold colors and exacting detail to make that subject come alive, it said.
Hall accomplished her goal and now exhibits her creations, accepts commissions and teaches groups and private lessons to share her passion, techniques and knowledge with other aspiring artists.
"Soon after my husband, Tom, and I moved to Hot Springs I was delighted to discover all of the creative people living in this community," Hall said. "It made me feel instantly at home which is one of the reasons I volunteer with the Hot Springs Women's Welcome Club. I want newcomers to feel the warmth and acceptance that I received."
Hall serves as president of the club and donates her time and art to many other social and philanthropic groups in the area.
"Hot Springs is lucky to have a large and active group of artists from a variety of genres living here," said Robert Zunick, one of the owners and developers of The Waters Hotel and the organizer of the monthly event. "The purpose of this monthly dinner is to acknowledge and celebrate these artists because they are an important factor in the high quality of living residents and our many visitors enjoy."
The Art & Wine Dinner began last fall and has featured a local or regional artist each month. Besides displaying and speaking at the monthly dinner, their work is exhibited in The Avenue for one month. The public may view the exhibit during restaurant hours and especially during Hot Springs' downtown Gallery Walk on the first Friday evening of each month.
There is limited space at this event, which is held the last Sunday of the month. Call The Avenue at 501-625-3850 for menu, pricing information and reservations.
Entertainment on 06/20/2018