Nov. 20, 2009

Come see a wide range of works by Valerie Aune at Pensacola’s Downtown Gallery Night. Aune is showing her works at the Coco Design offices at 116 South Palafox.

October 2009

Valerie Aune’s “Following the Leader” wins People’s Choice Award at the Pensacola Interstate Fair.

The painting is also featured on the cover of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Bulletin for 2009-2010.

May 2009

Pensacola Artist attends Art Students League of New York

Many artists dream of running off to New York to study, paint, and immerse themselves in one of the world’s biggest cultural centers.

Pensacola artist Valerie Aune did just that.

In April, Aune was one of only 36 students accepted annually to attend a month-long residency at the Vytlacil Campus of the Art Students League of New York.

“When you don’t have anything to worry or think about but painting it is living a dream,” said Aune. “No lawn to mow or meals to cook or dishes to do, just paint.”

The Art Students League was founded in 1875 to encourage artistic creativity while maintaining the greatest respect for artists who devote their lives to art. The Vytlacil Campus, located just 25 minutes outside of Manhattan, accepts only three people per month for their residency program, which includes a private bedroom, private studio space, and a 24-hour staff to assist with any questions or needs.

“Once I arrived at Vytlacil and all I had to think about was painting, it was easy to keep up with the full schedule and more,” said Aune, whose work appears in galleries across the county and who also teaches classes at her North Hill studio.

Residents are welcome to attend any and all classes both at Vytlacil and the Main Facility on 57th Street in Manhattan.

“I took everything offered that I could squeeze in a day,” Aune said. “It was wonderful to experience so many of different instructors in a compressed period of time.”

“Having the right facilities available meant I could explore a number of different processes,” Aune said. “I experimented with oils, collage and encaustics.”

“Artistically, the best part for me was time to explore paint for my personal growth,” Aune said. “I have been pouring watercolors for many years, but pouring oils is a totally different process — toxic and extremely messy.”

Aune now looks forward to sharing her experiences and what she learned with her students and other area artists through classes, workshops and presentations to art groups.

“I learned so much about art and the art world,” she said. “I am excited to share all of it with my students.”

Aug. 6, 2009

It’s About Time presents Third Annual Student Show at Wright Place

Teens and seniors, water color and oil, beginners and veterans.

The third annual It’s About Time Art School Student Show is a study in mixed media, talents and experience.

About 20 students, ranging in age from 17 to 78 will be showing their work in a variety of mediums including oil, watercolor, mixed media and encaustics, or hot wax painting.

While some of the students are participating in their first ever show, others are well-known in the Pensacola art scene with numerous awards and gallery showings along the Gulf Coast, said instructor and artist Valerie Aune.

Exhibition dates are Aug. 18 through Sept. 21. An evening reception on Aug. 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. will offer the opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their work.

Aune is an internationally recognized and award-winning artist. In April, she was one of only 36 worldwide applicants accepted annually to attend a month-long residency at the Vytlacil Campus of the Art Students League of New York.

“Having the right facilities available meant I could explore a number of different processes,” Aune said. “I experimented with oils, collage and encaustics.”

Aune returned to Pensacola to share her experiences and new-found knowledge with her students. Some of that inspiration is reflected in this show, she said.

“I learned so much about art and the art world,” she said. “I am excited to be able to share all of it with my students.”

Wright Place is located at 80 East Wright St. in downtown Pensacola. Gallery hours are  9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information about the show, gift certificates and art classes, contact Valerie Aune at 432-7092 or valerieaune@bellsouth.net. Visit her web site at www.valerieaune.com.