ST. MARY’S ART & RETREAT CENTER NEWS RELEASE VIRGINIA CITY – Wild skies, big trees and vast land are the subjects of award-winning plein air artist, muralist and teacher Erik Holland. His latest show celebrates the dramatic and contrasting contours of the Great Basin. “America’s Outback, Number 4” opens May 17, and runs through the end of June at the St. Mary’s Art and Retreat Center in Virginia City. The opening reception will be on Friday, May 17, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Bold Plein air Painting for Beginners and Beyond, May 3 and 5, St. Mary’s Art & Retreat Center. The two day workshop will cover composition, color mixing, atmospheric color and temperature of color and determining values. Instructors Erik Holland and Monika Johns will demonstrate technique and give individual help. There will group critiques in the evening. Workshop cost is $295 includes two nights lodging at St. Mary’s Art & Retreat Center, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and welcome reception, limited to 16 students. For more information contact Monika at 775-220-0325, or [email protected].
St. Mary’s Art & Retreat Center, a National Historic Landmark, was formerly known as the St. Mary Louise Hospital. Built in 1875 by the Sisters of Charity and Father Patrick Manogue, this four-story, gabled, red brick structure with Doric columns sits on land donated by Mrs. John W. (Mary Louise) Mackay, wife of one of the four Bonanza Kings.
Holland studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, the Art Students League of New York and San Francisco Academy of Art College. Holland teaches at Nevada Museum of Art, Truckee Meadows Community College and Rainshadow Charter School. His first plein air sale was to the legendary Rosemary Clooney. Contact Erik about gallery sales and commissions at [email protected], or 775-322-3582. Holland is a lifelong artist. He studied at the Art Students League of New York, the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, and the San Francisco Academy of Art. He has worked in a variety of disciplines, ranging from painting murals in Alaska during the 1990’s, to drawing political cartoons for various Alaska and Nevada publications. He has recorded the historical buildings of many of Nevada’s small towns for residents of those towns, and recently had his second show at the Nevada Historical Society celebrating the architectural heritage of renowned Nevada architect Frederick DeLongchamps.
