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Artist of the Year Judy Lavoie

Written by CeCe Owens

Award-winning Artist, Judy Lavoie thought 2018 was “her year” as an artist, but 2019 started out with being selected as the 2019 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Artist of the Year!

The designation was made by the renowned Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in conjunction with the 69th annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. “This combines two of my greatest passions, painting and spring wildflowers, making it a wonderful personal milestone,” remarked Judy, “I am so elated!”

The honor stems from the selection of wildflower painting, “Bloodroot,” as the featured image for this year’s Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, which will take place April 23-27, 2019. The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is an annual five-day event in Great Smoky Mountains National Park offering professionally guided programs which explore the region’s rich wildflowers, wildlife, ecology, culture, and natural history through walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and indoor seminars.

“I painted more in 2018 than in many previous years, experimenting with new methods and materials,” explained Judy, “ I am humbled to be the recipient of honors such as this.”

Judy Lavoie’s “Bloodroot” painting appears on the event t-shirts, mugs, and other Pilgrimage promotional items. In addition, it is featured in a solo exhibition of Judy Lavoie paintings at the Wolpert Gallery at the Arrowmont School running through April 26, 2019, with a reception at the gallery during the Pilgrimage week, on Wednesday, April 24th, from 5 – 7pm.

Judy is grateful for the opportunity to indulge in her passion for painting. She loves capturing everyday subjects such as beloved pets, wildflowers, rural scenes, fishing boats, and landscapes, as well as depicting the exotic, such as frolicking dolphins and African wildlife. Judy paints in a highly realistic manner with a unique sensitivity to detail. Her work is exhibited in private collections throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Judy’s long list of awards attests to the quality of her work. She won “Best of Show” in the 2018 Tennessee Watercolor Society Exhibition and has been included in each of their juried shows since 2008. Judy is also a signature member and multiple award-winner of the Jacksonville (FL) Watercolor Society and the Florida Watercolor Society.

Judy’s fine art is now being featured in an extensive solo exhibition during April, May and June at the Community Activity Center in Rarity Bay, Vonore TN. Hours are Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm, and the public is welcome.

Visit www.judy-lavoie-art.com to view the online gallery featuring original paintings and limited edition fine art prints along with her Art Blog, a must read for all.

Great Smokey Mountain Association’s 69th Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage

April 24 – 27, 2019

The Wildflower Pilgrimage, which dates back to 1951, offers over 150 programs including an array of instructional walks and guided hiking tours tailored to meet individual walking skill and ability, along with demonstrations and guest lecturers. These tours showcase the abundant varieties of wildflowers, plants, ferns, mosses, trees and shrubs, as well as birds, reptiles and amphibians, all native to the Great Smoky Mountains.

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CeCe Owens

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