Flanders Selects Peter Seltzer As Featured Artist For Annual Benefit

WOODBURY — Peter Seltzer has been named the featured artist for the 2006 Four Seasons of Flanders Benefit Auction and Dinner.

Each year, a local talent is selected as the featured artist for the Flanders event. This artist, in turn, creates a piece about Flanders.

Mr Seltzer, whose home and studio are in Woodbury, has donated an oil and pastel painting entitled “Spring Time for Natalie.”   The painting, which was done on location at Flanders Nature Center, describes an early spring view from one of the studio windows. It reflects the pond and hillside beyond, with soft textures of water and new spring leaves that are just beginning to show.

Arthur Milnor, executive director of Flanders Nature Center, said Mr Seltzer made a connection with the founder of Flanders Nature Center, the late Natalie Van Vleck, when he began working on the signature piece for this year’s benefit.

“Peter Seltzer … worked arduously in Natalie’s studio to paint this showpiece,” said Mr Milnor. “His goal was to honor Natalie through his painting.

“She was an extraordinary person, and Peter exemplifies her passion for nature and art. His painting is exquisite.”

“Spring Time for Natalie” graces this year’s invitation and catalog for The Four Seasons of Flanders Benefit Auction and Dinner.  Peter Seltzer is a master pastelist and renowned painter.  He works exclusively in oil and pastels and is best known for his still lifes, which are representational.

Mr Seltzer’s paintings have been purchased for the permanent collections at New Britain Museum of Art and Butler Institute of American Art. He was recently elected to Who’s Who in American Art and was awarded the prestigious Allied Artists of America Gold Medal of Honor.

Mr Seltzer’s work is on display at galleries in New York City and throughout the Northeast including recently at Fenn Gallery in Woodbury; it will appear in August at Insiders Outsiders Gallery in Cornwall. His images have additionally appeared in numerous fine art books.

Mr Seltzer is an elected member of Allied Artists of America, Pastel Society of America and the Hudson Valley Art Association.

In addition to the featured work by Mr Seltzer, there will be many other outstanding original pieces of art for auction at The Four Seasons of Flanders Benefit Auction and Dinner, including paintings and sculpture which have been created and donated by local artists. 

Many of the works of art for the auction will be displayed from September 19 until October 24 at The Woodward House in Bethlehem. An artists’ preview party is planned for Saturday, October 7, from 2 to 4 pm, at the same location, and the public is encouraged to attend to meet Peter Seltzer and the artists and view the work that will be available for purchase at the auction.

The auction itself, which marks Flanders’ largest fundraising event of the year, will be Saturday, October 28, at The Crown Plaza in Southbury. The auction includes bidding for jewelry, travel packages, dining opportunities, sports equipment and professional services.

Proceeds from the auction primarily are earmarked for educational programs.

“The money raised enables us to continue providing numerous high quality programs,” said Mr Milnor. “It allows us to offer a variety of educational options that appeal to everyone, from preschoolers to senior adults. The auction is an opportunity for members of the community to come out and support Flanders. It is also our goal for people to really enjoy a fun and interesting event.”

Tickets for the auction and dinner event are $65 per person. Woodbury-based auctioneer and syndicated columnist Wayne Mattox will be the guest auctioneer.

For more information about the artists’ preview party or The Four Seasons of Flanders Benefit Auction and Dinner, call Flanders Nature Center at 203-263-3711.