FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SHARON FINE GALLERY HOSTS PRINCE SOMSANITH OF LAOS

“Traditional Folk Art of Laos”

To benefit the Lao Heritage Foundation

The Sharon Fine Gallery of Bethesda, Maryland, is pleased to host an exhibition of artwork by Prince Nithakhong Somsanith of Laos.  Prince Somsanith, who is actively involved in preserving the unique and endangered heritage of his native country, will be present to discuss his work and to answer questions.  A portion of the proceeds of the Prince’s artwork sold at the Sharon Fine Gallery will go to the nonprofit Lao Heritage Foundation.

The exhibition and cocktail reception with Prince Somsanith will be on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 6-10 p.m., with additional opportunities to view the artwork throughout the week of Sept. 26.  

Prince Somsanith, a descendant of the Viceroy to the monarchy of Luang  Prabang, former Kingdom of Laos, was initiated into the arts of the royal court early in his childhood, and was notably introduced to the art of gold thread embroidery. The royal court vanished after the Vietnam War when the Communists took power in 1975.

Prince Somsanith has catalogued all the ancient Buddhist temples in Luang Prabang Province. The Prince supported UNESCO’s preservation efforts in Luang Prabang as world heritage site.  He used watercolors, hand-made paper, and ink to draw each temple in the series.  Drawings from the temple series will be on exhibit at the Sharon Fine Gallery on Sept. 24, along with a series of paintings of monks and a series on Laotian children.

The Sharon Fine Gallery opened in September 2003.  In addition to the artwork by Prince Somsanith, the Sharon Fine Gallery offers a wide range of works by internationally established and up-and-coming local area artists including: abstract, figurative, still life, landscapes, expressionist, and pop art.  The gallery is located off Bradley Boulevard between Goldsboro and Wilson Lane in Bethesda.  The gallery is open by appointment seven days a week and has monthly receptions.  Fine, in conjunction with Radio Free Asia and the Asia Society, previously hosted Prince Somsanith in April 2004.

For more information about the Sharon Fine Gallery and this special event, please visit http://www.sharonfinegallery.com or email sharonfinegallery@verizon.net.