The Young Artist Is Selected From More Than 500 Applicants To Participate In Region's Largest And Most Significant Visual Arts Event

PORTLAND, Ore., June 4, 2002 - Visitors to the prestigious Portland Arts Festival will soon be able to see for themselves why Alina Eydel is gaining recognition as one of today's most talented young artists. Highly imaginative and dedicated to her craft, the twelve-year-old painter has been selected to showcase her original paintings during the three-day open-air celebration June 14 - 16, at Portland's Eastbank Esplanade.

Hosting more than 20,000 people each day, the fifth annual Portland Arts Festival sponsored by Verizon Wireless includes an exceptional array of visual arts by a diverse group of 150 local, regional and nationally acclaimed artists in 13 mediums. The youngest artist to participate in this prominent event, Alina was chosen from more than 530 applicants. To qualify for the coveted spot, Alina's work underwent a rigorous slide jurying process consistent with the top arts festivals in the country.

Each artist will be competing for $10,000 in prizes and the Best of Show award. The festival is an integral part of the Portland Rose Festival, Oregon's premier civic celebration and a Northwest tradition for more than 95 years.

"It's a wonderful honor to be recognized by my peers for something that I love to do," said Alina. "I enjoy playing with art and using color like a game to realize the wonderful stories that I have in my imagination. Best of all, participating in this festival gives me an opportunity to inspire and make others happy. I get to meet with people and see the smiles on their faces when they look at my paintings. That's very inspirational for me."

Having spent almost half of her life painting professionally, Alina is already an accomplished and award-winning artist. To her credit she has had three solo shows in Southern California, is a regular exhibitor at prominent art festivals throughout the West Coast, exhibits at local galleries and is frequently asked to contribute a painting for charity auctions. And she's accomplished all of this since the young age of eight. Her eclectic and captivating paintings have touched many who view her work and are quickly becoming a valued addition to many collections.

Her paintings include whimsical make-believe worlds full of fanciful characters, each with its own personality, its own identity and a magical story of how it came to be. The joyful creations that spring from her vivid imagination are playful and humorous and colorfully painted on canvases with acrylic or oil paint.

For additional information on Alina, her paintings and her inspiration please contact Svetlana Eydel at (949) 951-5604. Alina's complete portfolio can also be viewed on the World Wide Web at www.alinafineart.com.

 

The Oregon Herald