By Bailey Lucero-Carter
Calling all art enthusiasts and creative minds: for the first time ever, the World of Color Expo will celebrate a rainbow of art in the ballrooms of the Washington Dulles Hilton in Herndon.
This five-day event highlights traditional forms of art and features artists from across the states and continent who will hold classes for amateurs, experts and anyone in between. The World of Color Expo aims to educate and inspire people of all ages, demonstrating that a blank canvas and a palette of color can help bring out our best selves.
The World of Color Expo offers 70 classes that teach on a variety of art media, including watercolors, oil paints, acrylics and colored pencils. Guest artists from as far as California and Canada will make appearances to teach and sell their work. One such artist is Kevin Hill, who is known not only for his breathtaking landscapes, but also for his youth; at under 20 years old, the California resident has over 46,000 subscribers on YouTube. He will visit the East Coast to teach four classes at the expo.
Other featured painters include Mark Polomchak, Robert Warren and Kitty Gorrell, who will each teach a special class on Tuesday before the vendor’s hall opens on Wednesday. Each of their classes is eight hours long, during which time participants will receive interactive instruction and guidance from these renowned painters. On Wednesday, approximately 70 more classes will be offered, ranging in time from two to eight hours, for artists at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
Approximately 40 vendors will sell paintings, creations and art supplies at the expo. In addition, the Exhibit floor will feature art by Bob Ross, who hosted The Joys of Painting on PBS.
The World of Color Expo was organized by two men—David Vernon and Mark Greynolds, a pair of long-time residents of Northern Virginia who work for the same software company. A Human Resources professional, Vernon, 64, only began painting decorative art about five years ago after watching a woman paint fruit at Harper’s Ferry. Now, Vernon paints florals, landscapes and fruit from his home studio, Pampered Palette, where seminars and events are also held for up to 24 people.
“I know a lot of people think they can’t do it—they’ll look at something and think it’s too hard—but it’s not that hard. It’s practice and learning the brush strokes and the techniques. Anybody could do it,” says Vernon. He hopes that the World of Color Expo will help grow an appreciation for art across ages.
In a world where digital art and photography heavily occupy the art industry, the World of Color Expo brings traditional art to the forefront, blending community and color for a masterpiece event.
World of Color Expo
Washington Dulles Hilton
13869 Park Center Road, Herndon
Nov. 11 – Nov. 15
$99 registration; $10 vendors’ room only.
Additional class supply fees vary. Walk-ins welcome.
