Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: 804-443-3357
Fax: 804-443-6781

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Warsaw Native Exhibits Art at SMS

Tappahannock, VA (June 4, 2001) - Area residents have a unique opportunity to view paintings of local scenes by nationally recognized artist Lawrence Altaffer. A Warsaw native who now lives in Frederickburg and Syria, Va., Altaffer usually shows his work at juried art shows across the country.

Artist Lawrence Altaffer recently demonstrated plein air, or outdoor, painting to art students at St. Margaret's School. A show of his Virginia landscapes is on display in the mezzanine of the school's Community/Technology Center through June 11.

But from now through June 11, his oils, pastels and watercolors are on exhibit in the mezzanine of the Community/Technology Center at St. Margaret's School in Tappahannock. The current show includes a number of works Altaffer has created since his exhibit last fall at Rappahannock Community College, such as a striking portrayal of the Downing Bridge.

A largely self-taught artist, Altaffer is an elected member of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters. The society is limited to 40 members who dedicate themselves to plein air, or outdoor, painting. Altaffer also has gained recognition from the Oil Painters of America. His painting, "Show Time-Palisades Lake," was one of 200 works nationwide chosen for the group's annual show last year.

The exhibit is open between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. All of the works on display are available for sale. In addition, Altaffer will donate a portion of the proceeds to St. Margaret's School.

Before launching his art career in 1996, Altaffer practiced medicine at Pratt Medical Center in Fredericksburg. His daughter, Anne, is a 1992 graduate of St. Margaret's School who has taught photography and served as a dorm parent during the 2000-2001 school year.

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