Art show, sale benefits library
By Jon Busdeker on Jun. 21, 2007
Cristina Aviles is inspired by the beauty that is Bedford — its natural setting, its glorious colors, and its generous people. And now, Aviles is inspired to give back.
Twelve years ago, Aviles moved to the Smith Mountain Lake area after leaving the Richmond area, her home of 36 years. Previously, Aviles, an Argentina native, lived globally, residing around Europe, including Italy and Switzerland. Aviles now calls Bedford home, where she has the time, inspiration and inclination to give her art her full attention.
Aviles has painted all her life, having taking classes in Europe and Richmond, and continues to do so at the Bedford Academy for the Arts. She volunteers as an art teacher at Body Camp Elementary School. She credits this experience with realizing how vital arts education is to expanding the imagination.
Aviles’ paintings, exhibited in the Youth Room at the Bedford Central Library, are vibrant and full of life, revealing nature at its most playful.
The paintings are on sale to the general public. All of the proceeds will be donated to the library system’s youth programs, continuing Aviles’ commitment to education and the community.
“I want to give back to Bedford what Bedford has given to me,” Aviles said in a news release.
The exhibit can be viewed during regular Bedford Central Library hours (9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday) through the end of July.
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