Legacy Of The Russian Masters: A Tale Of Two Artists: George Gallo, Don Sahli And Their Search For Local Color

Online, June 8, 2010 (Newswire.com) - BEAVER CREEK, CO. -- Two award-winning artists, renowned Hollywood writer/director and painter George Gallo (Midnight Run/Bad Boys) and nationally recognized American painter Don Sahli are honored to support the Vilar Performing Arts Center and the 23rd Annual Beaver Creek Art Festival with four days of painting and special events surrounding a benefit screening of Gallo's critically acclaimed film, Local Color, at the Vilar Center Saturday, July 31. All box office proceeds will fund on-going programming at the non-profit Vilar Performing Arts Center.

Local Color - inspired by George Gallo's own true story of apprenticeship as a young artist - is a compelling film that is opening the eyes and hearts of yet another new generation to the value of mentorship and the joy of seeing the beauty in life. Oscar nominees Armin Mueller-Stahl (Shine) and Diana Scarwid (Inside Moves) are teamed with a talent-rich cast that includes Trevor Morgan (ER, The Sixth Sense), Samantha Mathis, plus veterans Ray Liotta, Ron Perlman and Charles Durning.

A story that began centuries ago with Russian Czar Peter The Great will continue to unfold as Gallo and Sahli explore the three hundred year old connection between the legacy of great Russian masters and today's resurgent American representational/impressionist art movement. Gallo and Sahli will spend the week painting outdoor locations around Vail and Beaver Creek, stopping spontaneously to capture local scenes on canvas. The public can visit Vail Fine Art Gallery on Thursday, July 29 and Beaver Creek Fine Art Gallery on Friday, July 30 to see those paintings on display.

The "Legacy of the Russian Masters Paint-Off" will be held on the eve of the 23rd Annual Beaver Creek Art Festival, Friday, July 30, 4-7pm at Beaver Creek Fine Art Gallery. Gallo and Sahli will work side-by-side, while gallery owner Jim Tylich moderates the evening demonstration with informative explanations of each artist's technique.

Inspiration and education continues at the Legacy of the Russian Masters reception and exhibit Saturday, July 31, 5-7pm. Jim Tylich will premier large Russian works at the Vilar Performing Arts Center. Many of these major Soviet Era and contemporary masterpieces, previously displayed in museums, have never been seen outside of Russia. In an informal discussion, Tylich will share with attendees a comprehensive overview on the skill, schooling and distinct technique of Russian masters that has so impacted today's art world. Tickets for this separate exclusive event are available thru the Vilar Performing Arts Center Box office and include appetizers with refreshments during Jim Tylich's presentation, admission with preferred seating for the screening of Local Color plus a VIP champagne/dessert dialogue with the artists in the Vilar Center's May Gallery following the film.

At 7pm on Saturday, July 31, the Vilar doors will open to all ticketholders for the screening of Local Color. Before the introduction of Local Color by George Gallo, theatergoers will be treated to a special video short: Legacy of the Russian Masters. Gallo and Sahli will then share more with the audience on their remarkably similar paths as students of two great Russian artists including some brief stories about their mentors, George Cherepov and Sergei Bongart.

All are invited to the "Legacy of the Russian Masters Brushstroke Brunch", Sunday, August 1, 10am-12noon at Beaver Creek Fine Art Gallery. On display will be the finished artworks by Don Sahli and George Gallo from their work on location as well as Friday night's "Legacy of the Russian Masters Paint-off". The paintings of many other master Russian impressionists will also be shown, illustrating the historic influence that has spanned generations of artists worldwide. During this time Gallo, Sahli and Tylich will have an opportunity to answer questions and discuss art, the legacy of the Russian masters and the movie Local Color.

Tickets for Local Color July 31 at the Beaver Creek Vilar
Performing Arts Center are available at www.vilarpac.org, 970-845-TIXS (8497), or the Vilar Box Office in Beaver Creek Village.

For additional background information please contact the following.
George Gallo: (323) 845-9320, [email protected] , www.ggallo.com
Don Sahli: (866)670.8615, [email protected], www.sahlistudio.com, www.sahliartofpainting.com
Vail Fine Art Gallery, Inc. & Beaver Creek Fine Art Gallery: Gretchen Greene (970)389-4378,
[email protected] www.vailfineart.com
Vilar Performing Arts Center: Martha Brassel (970) 748-6652, [email protected], www.vilarpac.org/
23rd Annual Beaver Creek Art Festival: (954) 472-3755, [email protected]
http://www.beavercreek.com/eventdetail/Arts+Festival.axd?year=2010&month=7&eventview=calendarview and http://www.artfestival.com/events/visitorsShow/25/1

What the critics are saying about Local Color:

"A deeply felt movie about pursuing your passion in life. Armin Mueller-Stahl is magnificent and young Trevor Morgan matches him step for step." - Leonard Maltin, Entertainment Tonight

"Powerful, heartfelt and nostalgic, a very absorbing film." - Jeffrey Lyons, Reel Talk

"A breathtaking and moving cinematic masterpiece." - Roger Tennis - CLIPS -TV

"Filmmaker George Gallo has reached into his soul to make this deeply heartfelt story. Local Color is funny, angry and totally human - with resonance for everyone who dares to dream." - Jami Bernard, Film Critic, NY Daily News