Depicting the wilderness along with the anglers, hikers, and rock climbers that explore them, Kevin Raines’ paintings portray the wonder of nature. Many of these artworks will be on display at the Adirondack Art Association, where Raines will be the spotlight artist in August 2016. The opening reception for Raines exhibit as well as a group show of AAA artist members will be held on Friday, August 5 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in Essex, New York.

Raines earned an MFA in Painting from Concordia University in Montreal in 1979 and returned to the States as a figurative artist, commission portrait painter, and Professor of Art at Notre Dame of Maryland University. A New York resident; he lives and works in Maryland and the Adirondacks.

Drawing his inspiration from the beauty of the landscape and his passion for conservation, Raines works closely with conservation science agencies including the Nature Conservancy, UNESCO, The Audubon Society, Champlain Area Trails, and The Eddy Foundation. In 2015 Raines continued this work, collaborating with the Adirondack Council while preparing his series “Share the Experience: Adventures in the Adirondacks” which as exhibited at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and the View in Old Forge.

In conjunction with the exhibition, Raines will also be hosting a free plein air workshop through the Adirondack Art Association on Saturday, August 13 from 9 am to 12 pm. This workshop will focus on developing students’ interpretation of natural surroundings. Students 16+ are encouraged to register by emailing info@adirondackartassociation.com or calling 518-963-8309.

This class, as well as the opening reception, is sponsored in part thanks to the Essex County Adirondack Garden Club’s Ellen Lea Paine Memorial Nature Fund. The Essex Country Adirondack Garden Club has long supported conservation and horticultural activities in the Adirondack Park. The ECAGC Ellen Lea Paine Memorial Nature Fund was established in 2005 to provide financial assistance to students, individuals, and not-for-profit organizations involved in programs to study and protect the natural environment within the Adirondack Park.

The Opening Reception for the Adirondack Art Association’s August Art Exhibit will be held Friday, August 5 from 5:00-7:00 pm in Essex, New York. The exhibit will run from August 5-30, 2016. Gallery openings are always free to the public and light refreshments will be served. The exhibit can also be viewed during weekly gallery hours, everyday from 11 am to 5 pm in August.

For more information on this or any upcoming events at the Adirondack Art Association, please email info@adirondackartassociation.com or visit www.adirondackartassociation.com.