PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
The Arts Council
Contact: Kevin Ledgewood
pr@tuscarts.org
205-758-5195, x6
LOCAL ARTIST TONY BRATINA FEATURED AT THE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
(Tuscaloosa) The recent work of artist Tony Bratina will be featured during the month of Dec. at The Arts Council Gallery, located in the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center. Titled “Christmas Traditions,” the show will explore the familiar icons of the season plus other, more obscure images representing the season in other countries. Presented by The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa, the exhibit will be on display Dec. 6 – 27, 2013.
Tony Bratina explores the traditions of Christmas in the exhibit, from the modern-day Santa that is so familiar to some of the more historical folklore, such as the Italian Befana and the dark Krampis. From the music and decorations to the food and customs, Bratina is fascinated with the warm and varied imagery of Christmas around the world.
“As an artist for The Tuscaloosa News, I spend much of the season drawing Christmas images for the paper … some beautiful, some goofy, but always festive. I wanted to take what I normally do each year further, and depict Christmas the way I see it, which includes food, music and images I have conjured from old stories.”
Bratina has been the Graphics Editor for The Tuscaloosa News for the past 13 years. He is the artist behind the illustrations, graphics and GameDays the News prints. As an artist for the News, Bratina has created hundreds of Christmas images. He is also one of the driving forces behind Tuscaloosa’s annual Monster Makeover art charity show. A UAB art studio graduate, Bratina’s favorite mediums are oil and mixed media. Christmas is his favorite time of year, so he had more fun than one can imagine creating the work for this show.
“Christmas Traditions” will open with a reception on December 6 at 5 p.m. during Downtown Tuscaloosa’s First Friday event. The Arts Council Gallery hours are 9 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. on weekdays and noon – 8 p.m. on First Fridays.
The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located at 620 Greensboro Avenue in Downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about the CAC, The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should LIKE the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” and follow tuscarts on Twitter. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.
###