Arts Encounters at the Beninis: February 2006

Born in 1961, Catharine Cary grew up in rural Vermont, one of five children of an engineer and an educator. A 1982 graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, in 1983 she earned a DESS (Masters equivalent) in International Relations as a Rotary Scholar in Cameroon, West Africa.

Cary will show drawings and paintings and discuss the blurring lines between her writing and her visual pieces. Her talk will also address why an artist would leave the high-powered life in the New York art scene to live and paint in Paris. For more information: www.catharine-cary.com

All hand-worked Polaroids are a one-of-a-kind piece. Since they are done by hand (not in Photoshop),they are subject to various different styles, and tend to adopt the character and personality of the creator. Some are bold and strong, while others have a soft, dream-like quality. All are very unique in their own way.

Carlos studied Art at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design before relocating to Germany to attend the Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf under the tutelage of the late artist Nam June Paik, the grandfather of video art. Carlos' work has been exhibited in Dusseldorf, Hanover and Venice.

Born and raised in Mexico, Carlos has traveled extensively around the world and has lived in the U.S., France, Japan, India, Germany and Spain. These experiences have given him an incredible perspective of the variety of cultures and people. "Life is fragile, and should not be taken for granted" is an ongoing theme in Carlos' view of the world, whether in his own neighborhood or along the river banks of the Mandovi River in Goa, India.

For Art Encounters, he brings a selection of a video installation called "Five Senses: Rock".

FEATURED SPEAKERS ARCHIVES PRESS AND MEDIA PHOTO GALLERY VISITING LINKS COMMENTS	FEATURED ARTISTS for FEBRUARY 2006: Saturday and Sunday \| February 25th & 26th, 2006 \| Ten to Six Saturday, One to Six Sunday Presentations begin promptly at 1:30 pm & 3:30 pm

Photo by Ingrid Hoffman	Catharine Cary Painter Paris, France Born in 1961, Catharine Cary grew up in rural Vermont, one of five children of an engineer and an educator. A 1982 graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, in 1983 she earned a DESS (Masters equivalent) in International Relations as a Rotary Scholar in Cameroon, West Africa. Cary will show drawings and paintings and discuss the blurring lines between her writing and her visual pieces. Her talk will also address why an artist would leave the high-powered life in the New York art scene to live and paint in Paris. For more information: www.catharine-cary.com

	Robert McConaughy Sculptor Blue Ash, Ohio Work continues on a new, huge sculpture installation on the ranch. Robert McConaughy, who lives in Blue Ash, Ohio, near Cincinnati, arrived at the Sculpture Ranch earlier this month to begin work on his 150-foot long installation entitled, "Phantom Hill." Soon after he arrived, a Fed Ex 18-wheel truck delivered 1000 pounds of corded rope. Then he went in pursuit of steel, long enough and strong enough to complete his project. Rope is McConaughy's trademark, his last installation at Duke University draped chain ropes from trees in a huge canopy. He too will speak at Arts Encounters and discuss his current installation. For more information: www.macsfarm.org My artistic process is based on immersion and familiarity with a particular context. I do not have a warehouse of sculptures or a studio of maquettes for placement in any available space. Instead, I experience the general environment and, if identified, the exact spot, for a day or so. Then I ruminate and conceive a sculpture for that space. Therefore, my artistic process almost always involves two site visits: One for exploration and design, the second for installation. The result is a provocative, exciting artistic experience for viewers.

	Beth Austin Polaroid Impressions: A Painterly Look Austin, Texas I have spent my life in Austin. I bought my first Polaroid camera at the age of 12. After school I apprenticed with many notable area photographers, one of whom introduced me to the Polaroid Impressions technique. After marrying Carlos Austin, we combined forces and spent time traveling. I was able to add to my collection of Polaroid Impressions with images from places like Bali, Indonesia; Mexico and Europe. All hand-worked Polaroids are a one-of-a-kind piece. Since they are done by hand (not in Photoshop),they are subject to various different styles, and tend to adopt the character and personality of the creator. Some are bold and strong, while others have a soft, dream-like quality. All are very unique in their own way.

	Carlos Austin "Five Senses: Rock" Video and Photography Austin, Texas Carlos studied Art at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design before relocating to Germany to attend the Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf under the tutelage of the late artist Nam June Paik, the grandfather of video art. Carlos' work has been exhibited in Dusseldorf, Hanover and Venice. Born and raised in Mexico, Carlos has traveled extensively around the world and has lived in the U.S., France, Japan, India, Germany and Spain. These experiences have given him an incredible perspective of the variety of cultures and people. "Life is fragile, and should not be taken for granted" is an ongoing theme in Carlos' view of the world, whether in his own neighborhood or along the river banks of the Mandovi River in Goa, India. For Art Encounters, he brings a selection of a video installation called "Five Senses: Rock".
Additional speakers and information will be available throughout the day. For further information, visit www.Benini.com or call 830-868-5244. The events are free of charge and open to all.