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Young artists sought

The Sonoma Community Center and the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art put out a joint call for young artists to take part in a cultural arts exchange between Sonoma and its new sister city, Tokaj, Hungary.

Both towns have deep roots to the wine industry, which meet in the history of Agoston Haraszthy. Born in the 19th century, Haraszthy (1812-1869) emigrated to the US and founded Buena Vista Winery in 1857. A true pioneer, he was an explorer, investor, bridge-builder, sheriff, commissioner and merchant. Today, he is remembered as the father of the California wine industry.

This year marks Haraszthy’s 200th birthday and his legacy is being celebrated near and far. The center has been working with one of Haraszthy’s descendants, the curator of a larger “Haraszthy200 Festival” in Hungary, to produce two exhibitions.  

The first will be drawn from a children's call to artists. Works will be created, exchanged and exhibited in Sonoma and Tokaj.

Together, SCC and SVMA are inviting children to contribute entries in the following three categories, specific to the towns' wine country heritage:

• Ages 6 to 10 are invited to submit drawings about the grape harvest.

• Ages 11 to 14 are invited to submit drawings of Sonoma.

• Ages 15 to 18 are invited to submit portraits of Agoston Haraszthy.

Entries are due to Sonoma Community Center by Aug. 10. They will be reviewed by a jury and the top three entries in each category will be awarded cash prizes (first place: $150; second place: $100; third place: $50).

Works created locally will be exhibited at the Theater of Tokaj during the month of September. Simultaneously, the center will display similar works by the children of Tokaj.

Guidelines for entries are as follows:

• Artwork must be two-dimensional.

• Art works may measure 8.5 inches by 11 inches, or 11 inches by 17 inches.

• Materials may include pastels, colored pencil, pencil, and charcoal 

For complete details, visit sonomacommunitycenter.org or call Sonoma Community Center at 938-4626, ext. 7.
Later in the fall, SCC and Tokaj will exchange and exhibit avant garde paintings that celebrate Haraszthy’s pioneering spirit. This second exhibition, “Red and White,” inspired by the colors of wine, will feature works by contemporary Hungarian and American artists inspired by the geometric style of Constructivism. Interested artists may contact the Sonoma Community Center to learn more about participating in the paintings exchange.

The Sonoma Community Center is located at 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma.