The Friends of the Sunriver Area Public Library will be hosting a free reception for local sculptor Ray Dodge and painter Mike Beeson on Saturday, February 5, 2011 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for the public to meet both artists and to view the exhibit.

Ray Dodge grew up on the banks of a trout stream, and spent years studying fish, their anatomy, color, and habitat. His love of fishing and art became one when he began sculpting trout. He is a graduate of the Portland Art Museum School, and spent 40 years as a graphic designer, art director, and advertising agency principal. His fish are carved from wood, and then meticulously detailed with paint. He has won many top honors in fish carving competition in the Northwest and internationally. He currently resides in La Pine.

Mike Beeson inspiration to begin drawing birds and animals were his father’s charcoal sketches of mallard ducks that hung in his childhood home. For the past 10 years, he has lived on the Deschutes River south of Sunriver, and his surrounding have renewed his interest in art and nature. He works in several media: acrylic and oil paints, Prismacolor pencil, graphite pencil and photography. Mike’s work is currently being shown at the new Artists’ Gallery in the Sunriver Village.

For questions about this or other library programs, or ADA questions, please contact Lisa at 541-312-1034 or visit the library at www.deschuteslibrary.org.