OCEAN CITY-
" I have a soft spot in my heart for Greece," said Anthe Capitan-Valais. "It's very much a part of me."
Capitan-Valais is the featured artist this month at the Ocean City Fine Arts League, 608 Asbury Ave. Her show, "Greece Now and Then," is a reflection of a recent trip to her ancestors' homeland and showcases primarily oil and acrylic paintings. An opening reception will be 7-9 pm. Firday, May 2 and an information meet and greet with the artist will be noon to 3pm Saturday May 3. Part of the proceeds from " Greece Now and Then" will be donated to organizations helping families affected by last summer's fires, which devastated much of the Greece countryside.
In fact, finding a way to help is what inspired Capitan-Valais' show.
" I wanted to help somehow," she said.
Capitan-Valais live in Flourtown, Pa. and joined the OCFAL last year through her relationship with board member Martha Z. Stanwood. Stanwood is Capitan-Valais' protégé. She started to work in Capitan-Valais' studio almost 10 years ago.
"I'm friends with her whole family. That's my connection to Ocean City," Capitan-Valais said. "I make trips down there."
Stanwood suggested Capitan-Valais host a show at the OCFAL and donate part of the proceeds to help Greece recover from last summer.
" I was honored," Capitan-Valais said. " I think (the OCFAL) is a great opportunity for artists to show their work on a professional level." When the fires ravaged Greece last summer , Capitan-Valais knew she had to help. Her family is from Greece and she is married to a Greek immigrant. She felt connected to the country through her traditions and church, but it was last year's trips and the fires that inspired Greece in her artwork.
"Ive been an artist all my life," Capitan-Valais said, " but I never took it seriously until 1991 when I went back to school and got my fine arts degree."
Capitan-Valais is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of the fine arts. She promised herself that, not matter what she did after graduation it would have art connected to it.
She finds inspiration through " a lot of prayer."
"I think God inspires me", she said. " I feel like a lot of these paintings I couldn't ever do on my own." According to Capitan-Vailas, " Greece Now and Then showcases paintings that convey the spirit of Greece. The paintings depict the Greek countryside and famous olive t Orees and the traditions of Greek Life. Some paintings are very personal, "The Journey" was inspired by my 98 year old grandmother's move to Americas while still keeping her Greek The Dance" is a memory from when Capitan-Valais visited Greece and everyone out to dinner got up to dance , which she says is a typical occurrence.
"I think just paint because you have to", Capitan Valais said" It's something that's in you that has to come out. I think musicians use their music and artists use the materials in from of them.
" You see it and you have to express it," she continued. " It;s kind of like breathing you do it because you have to".
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