The “Sherwood Forest Plein Air Painting Competition” held July 20 through 23, 2005, brought 40 artists together to create personal interpretations of the renowed Bidwell Park in Chico, California. The nationally advertised event concluded with both a silent and a live auction on the grounds of Hotel Diamond.
Among all artists, 40 of the 76 competition paintings were sold, while Lana Rak’s competition paintings were completely sold out.
“Chico is blossoming. I truly believe its best days are ahead and that art is part of this,” said Wayne Cook, owner with Carol Cook of the recently renovated Diamond Hotel. “The Plein Air event is of such a high caliber that I think it could be a highly acclaimed annual event. It’s part of many exciting things that are happening to renovate the downtown – the renovation of the park, the opening of the hotel and several other efforts underway. We are pleased to support it.”
July 2005 marks the centennial of Annie Bidwell’s gift of Bidwell Park to the city of Chico and the whole town came together to celebrate the event.
“Chico is hot, literally”, says Lana Rak. “I was very happy to be selected as one of the competing artists for this event and I am especially grateful to Maria Phillips and Dolores Mitchell of the Avenue 9 Gallery for all the effort and tender care they put into making this event a complete success.”