Discovery Park of America is today announcing the sixth winner of the Artist Showcase competition

UNION CITY, TENN. – Discovery Park of America is today announcing the sixth winner of
the Artist Showcase competition. Russel Bash, of Paducah, KY, won the showcase with his
digitally manipulated kaleidoscope photographs. This unusual technique produces geometric
works of art that challenge the viewer to recognize the original subject matter.
The public is invited to a special reception at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 12 th to view the new
Artist Showcase display. There is no charge to attend the reception.
Bash said that he believes everything embodies artistic potential. “When mirrored, typical
objects reveal a unique array of patterns, colors and geometries that we tend to overlook in our
daily experience of them,” the artist relayed. “Seeing objects in a different way allows us to
appreciate their subtle beauty,” he added.
Bash graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2004 with a degree in architecture. He
worked five years as an intern architect before shifting his focus to fine art. His geometric style
is evidence of the impact that experience has had on his work. In addition to creating art from
his photography, Bash designs and builds the plywood framework for his pieces that range from
simple gridded squares to hexagons and octagons. “I believe that presentation is as vital to the
success of a piece as the piece itself,” he explained.
Six of the pieces for the show at Discovery Park were created from photographs that Bash
took at the park including the Mastodon, a Wagon Wheel, a Printing Press, the Incredible
Machine, the Star of Knowledge and Maximum Torque.
Polly Brasher, Education Director, says that the Education Department enjoys offering this
art showcase competition, which ultimately creates a new exhibit for the park. “The Artist
Showcase gives artists in this region an opportunity to submit original work into competition,”
Brasher explained. She went on to say that every six months there will be a new winner. The
winner will have his or her work on display at Discovery Park for six months on Art Wall located
in the lower level of Discovery Center. A complete packet of information about submitting
artwork can be found on the Park’s website at www.discoveryparkofamerica.com under
Exhibits. Entries for the next contest must be received by October 26, 2018.
Previous winners of the Artist Showcase were Les Macdairmid, Ann Stapp, David
Sheridan, John McLaren and Sarah Haig