ART26201 to Present First Youth Solo Exhibit at Colonial Theatre Gallery

[BUCKHANNON, WEST VIRGINIA, October 9, 2020—] ART26201 will present Aura, a fine art exhibition by Ava Hibbs, October 16, 2020, with a special opening from 4-8pm at the Colonial Theatre Gallery. This solo exhibit features a series of two-dimensional Japanese-style portraits by 11-year-old Ava Hibbs, a Buckhannon native and homeschooled student.

The fine art exhibition, free and open to the public, marks the first time the Colonial Theatre Gallery will host a youth solo exhibit. The Gallery hosted its inaugural event June 5, 2020, with the group Upshur Youth Art Exhibition. Keeping with current COVID-19 safety and social distancing protocols, ART2601 will be offering collectible ART masks at the event.

Japanese refreshments, including soda, candy, and Pocky, will be provided.  Cosplay (dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or video game) is strongly encouraged; best costume will win a prize package from the artist, including a signed print from the artist. In addition to the opening reception October 16, “Aura” will be open the following three weekends through November 7 on Fridays and Saturdays, from 4-8pm.

Aura is a collaboration of ART26201 and the City of Buckhannon. Significant financial assistance for the Colonial Theatre Rehabilitation project has been provided by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History.

Artist Biography and Statement:
Ava Laurel Hibbs was born in Buckhannon, West Virginia, in 2009. Like most children, she has plenty of creative spirit, and being homeschooled affords her plenty of time to be creative. While spending time in her father’s painting studio, she began to realize there was something about this “art thing” that she wanted to explore. Soon she was filling sketch pads with her own drawings. Her interest in animated programs, like Regular Show and Steven Universe, inspired the creation of her own new and unusual hand-drawn characters. She has turned her attention from pencil and paper to the world of digital art, and the exciting characters she imagined have come to life. With a nod to her love of anime (a style of Japanese film and television animation), Ava would love to present Aura, her first fine art exhibition.

About ART26201:
ART26201 is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “celebrate and promote the creative and inspirational opportunities in the Buckhannon community.”  For more information about ART26201 projects, and for ways to provide financial support, email info@ART26201.com or visit the website at www.ART26201.com.