Britt Festivals 2009 Fine Arts Poster

Posted May 15, 2009 at 03:16 PM in General

Britt Festivals unveiled its 2009 Fine Arts Poster at a reception last night (May 14) at the Britt Pavilion in Jacksonville. This year's work is a watercolor by Rogue Valley artist Julie Bjorlie. She was in attendance and signed posters. This year's poster is the 26th in a series celebrating Britt through visual arts.

Judy Bjorlie has captured perfectly what the Britt hill looks like from stage and was able to do so since she has been a cellist in the Britt Orchestra for 33 consecutive years. Judy began playing at Britt when the overhead lights were made from tin coffee cans and the plywood floors had holes here and there. On a rainy night, water was collected in tarps hung above the orchestra, which could (and sometimes did) unexpectedly empty, dousing musicians and causing a sudden evacuation of the Britt stage.
Judy brought her on-stage perspective to her subject choice for this year's Fine Arts Poster. "I thought Britt audiences might like to see what I see from the cello section on the Britt stage. Sometimes the velvet sky and emerging stars are so beautiful that it is a challenge to stay focused on the conductor. I love it when the playing is especially beautiful and I am surrounded by gorgeous music. You can feel your spirit soar above the orchestra," says Bjorlie.

In addition to the Britt Orchestra, she also plays with the Rogue Valley Symphony and in chamber music ensembles. She taught orchestra in the Medford schools before retiring to explore her interest in painting.

Judy is one of six owner/artists of Art & Soul Gallery in Ashland, Oregon, where 30 regional artists exhibit paintings. She paints traditional watercolors of landscapes, portraits, florals and animals, and has work currently in homes and businesses in the United States, Asia and Europe.

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