11th Annual Art of Painting in the 21st Century

The Art of Painting in the 21st Century is an annual conference, in its eleventh year, and is geared towards nurturing dialog on contemporary painting and the shared ideas that define current trends in the field. Many painters work alone, an isolated process that deprives the artist of thriving debate until the work is shown. This year’s conference will feature some of the most talented and well known painters working today.

This conference provides a unique opportunity and an intimate setting to interact with top artists. UC Davis, home to artist Roy de Forest, Roland Peterson, Wayne Thiebaud, and Robert Arneson, was instrumental in defining a new direction for a uniquely West Coast style. Nowhere else in the country will the participant be able to interact and discuss the purity of painting in one place. Meet face-to- face with distinguished artists you might only otherwise read about. This year, a collegiate exhibition of the top 20 young college student painters will be on display. Many awards will be given to these young artists that represent the future of painting. The conference is partially funded by the city of Davis.

These three artists have unique perspectives and approaches to their professional work. The conferences goal is to provide these varying perspectives and allow interaction between young students and professionals in the field, fostering the strong tradition of painting and culture in the Northern California region through exposure and discussion.