New to the Pacific Orchid Exposition the Art Wall Features Kaleidoscopic Dimensions of Orchids

Last year, the Pacific Orchid Exposition dedicated an expansive wall to intricate and exquisite orchid art designs. The eclectic mix of paintings lined the wall and drew in passersby with its vibrant colors and fluid movement. The art wall was such a success that the San Francisco Orchid Society (SFOS) has decided to feature the exhibit once again at this year’s show.

Sally Robertson, a veteran SFOS member, will be returning again this year to feature her collection of stunning watercolor orchid paintings. Sally has participated in the Pacific Orchid Exposition (POE) for 18 years and has designed numerous pieces for the past 15 years, creating dynamic images of the show’s themes, which appear on posters, fliers, bus sides, advertisements, wine glasses, T-shirts, web sites, and much more.

Sally’s inspiration for her art includes her own garden in Bolinas to exotic gardens of the South Pacific and everything in between. “My challenge and my goal is bringing together the clear eye of a gardener and the magic vision of an artist,” she explains.

Mary Ann Nardo has been painting botanicals for 18 years, and she will be sharing a spot on the art wall this year. “Recently I have been painting wild, endangered orchids from the tropics on bamboo panels,” Mary Ann says. “These are botanically accurate but that is just the beginning of exploring the mystery of this primal world—its power and fate.”

New to the show are a few outstanding artists, including the Bay Area-based Ellen Demel Deck, who is a third-generation artist and draws much of her inspiration from the colors, patterns, lines, and shades of magnificent orchid plants. “I follow that internal creative thread, which increasingly seems to know which color, stroke, and line are called for,” Ellen explains.

Also new to the POE this year is sculptor Clark Sorensen, who designs beautiful porcelain orchid replicas. He has received worldwide attention for his unique series of designs and sculptures. In addition to Sorenson, Ross Spangler will be joining the list of accomplished artists featured at the POE as he displays his luminous, glass-blown specialty lights.

In addition, Oakland-based artist Ken Griswak will be exhibiting his striking copper artwork on the wall. Since 1996, this self-taught artist has been creating custom, one-of-a-kind copper pieces for interior and exterior spaces.

Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of all of the unique artists at the 2008 POE art wall, and watch firsthand as art imitates life.