SEATTLE, WA (November 18, 2010) – From December 5th through December 24th ArtsWest Playhouse & Gallery features the national small works showcase Neo-Kitsch. Seattle-based artists displaying work in this exhibition include Charles Krafft, Kelly Lyles, Diem Chau, Patricia Ridenour, Marty Gordon, Theresa Neinas, and Deborah Scott. All works of art juried into this show fit the theme of “kitsch with a contemporary twist.” These small works with big attitudes incorporate various styles in unique ways. The artists’ materials range from vinyl records to PEZ® dispensers to recycled materials- turned- misfit dolls.

“Kitsch is taking on a new fan base directly related to the indie movement,” said ArtsWest’s gallery director Nichole DeMent when interviewed this past week. “The once old-fashioned and uncool is now stylish and smart – that’s what makes the juxtaposition of Neo-Kitsch appealing.” To recruit for the exhibition Nichole and ArtsWest held a national call for art that yielded submissions from all over the country. “I am very pleased with the response to the call for art,” she added. “I found talented artists in some unexpected places—Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, and Maryland to name a few – we also received a pool of impressive submissions from L.A. and San Francisco.”

ArtsWest’s Neo-Kitsch is anticipated to exhibit an eclectic array of gifts just in time for the holidays, and, starting November 30th the gallery will be opening an hour early at 11am Tuesday through Saturday and on Sundays from 11am to 6pm.

The public is invited to attend the artists’ opening reception for Neo-Kitsch at ArtsWest on December 9th from 6 – 7:30pm. Admission is free. Lively conversation and light hors d’oeuvres will be provided courtesy of ArtsWest.