The 200 pieces of fine art photographs, sculptures, and paintings are just a part of Nude Nite Orlando. “It’s made of painters, performers, acrobats, …” explains Director Kelly Stevens. “It’s about visual extravaganza. A feast if you will.”
Posing by Jonny Edge – Acrylic on Canvas
Empusa 2 by Christopher Johnson
Nude Nite is as much a happening as it is an art show. Thousands of people attended the show during its three night run. And if you came late you’d end up standing in line. The attraction is for the performances as much as the art. There are burlesque shows, acrobats performing on stage and on a large hoop suspended from the ceiling. Roving models, live body painting demonstrations, and performance artists moving through the crowds.
Nude Nite Crowd
Nude Nite Model
Attendees are encouraged to bring their cameras as long as they are respectful and understand the limits of what can be done with their photographs. “If you think about the event from a photography standpoint it probably has two dozen of the most incredible visuals that I’d like photograph,” continues Stevens. “It’s a very inspiring event. Full of color and texture, which is what I think photographers really like.”
Unbridled by Cheri Mittermaier; Perfomance artist in background
Artistic Beauty by Trevor Neigebauer
The tag line, “Take a nude home tonight” is meant to encourage attendees to purchase art. And when they do, they receive free tickets to Nude Nite for life.
The Nude Nite Tampa juried art show has selected “Seis Trace” for its 2011 exhibition. The event draws thousands of fine art enthusiasts and artists from around the country. The show is held in the Trolley Barn at The Heights and runs from March 3 – 5.
Seis Trace
“Seis Trace” is from Suhler’s (e)Motion collection. Nude Nite Tampa is the third show this year to feature one of his fine art nude photographs.
The largest nude art show in the country, Nude Nite Orlando, has been chosen Tom Suhler’s, “Faberge” for its 2011 show. Now in its 13th year, this juried show draws thousands of entries from around the world. The event runs from February 10 – 12 plus a “meet the artist party” on the 9th.
Faberge
“Faberge” is from Suhler’s (e)Motion collection. This is the 5th photograph from that series to receive recognition from the fine art community. Nude Nite Orlando is the second show this year to feature one of his fine art nude photographs.
You never know what to expect the first time you attend a new event in a new city. So Friday night when I left my hotel and headed over to the Lexington Art League’s(LAL) opening night for their 25th anniversary “Nude 2011” show, I tried to temper my expectations. I had read that is was one of North Americas largest nude art shows, but I wondered just how much support for nude fine art could exist in Lexington, Kentucky. So when I starting diving next to a beautiful park and first laid my eyes on the Loudon House, LAL’s home, I had to check the address a third time.
Lexington Art League’s Loudon House
The Loudon House is an amazing historic building. And then I tried looking for a parking spot only to find everything full and was forced to create a space on the snow covered lawn. I walked into a beautiful gallery full of people listening to live music while enjoying good food and cocktails.
Just one of the Loudon House’s exhibit rooms
And the Art? It was very impressive. Fifty pieces ranging from photography to sculpture including paintings, video, 3d mixed media, and drawings. Each unique in style and approach to the nude. I could not wait to ask Becky Alley, LAL’s Exhibitions and Programs Director, why they chose this theme.
Over There? by Don Luper, charcoal 39×59
Taking Off by Ken Landon Buck Taking Off by Ken Landon Buck, acrylic 32×42
“I think the nude or the body is relevant to contemporary artists because we all have one,” explained Alley. “Whenever you’re making art you’re hoping it’s communicating something to an audience. It’s a language. (And with this language) you can start talking about the human experience by using the body as imagery or form.”
Mountain 1 by Christine Wuenschel, charcoal & acrylic on paper 72×96Felicia 1424 by Mark Webster, oil on canvas 36×36
Nude 2011’s jurors are from the same region yet have different backgrounds. “It was good to have people from the same area so they could get together face to face and talk, which they did a couple of times,” says Alley. “I like the idea of having either jurors or artists in different mediums so they bring kind of different perspectives. Or having a visual artist and a curator.” Karen Gillenwater is Curator at the Carnegie Center for Art & History in New Albany, Indiana where she plans art exhibitions and programs. She was formerly Director of Art Galleries and Curator of Collections at Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky and Curatorial Administrative Coordinator at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. Mark Priest has a BA in painting from the University of Louisville and an MFA in painting from Yale University. He is currently an associate professor of painting and drawing at the University of Louisville.
Domestic Matter 2 by Hui Chi Lee, graphite and color pencil on paper 22×30
My primary reason for attending Nude 2011 was because my photograph “Neophlyte” was selected as part of the show. While there I met many of the patrons and artists. Experienced some exceptional art and Lexington’s culture. This will not be the last time I attend. I highly recommend that if you are in the Lexington area during the show’s two month run that you head over to the Lexington Art League’s Loudon House and experience it for yourself.
