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�o�ffieial Festival .7t <br />"Mejiro and Cherry Blossoms," a pastel by Laurel Oglesby, is the official art for the 2023 Waimea Cherry <br />Blossom Heritage Festival. The painting was selected from a field of 13 entries by the festival's <br />community planning committee <br />The winning art appears on both the cover of the festival's souvenir <br />booklet and 2023 poster. Purchase the poster for $10 at Waimea's <br />Firehouse Gallery and the free souvenir booklet is available during the <br />February 4th festival. The original pastel is also for sale and on display <br />during February and March at the gallery as part of the Waimea Arts <br />Council's "30th Annual Cherry Blossom Art Exhibition." <br />"I have always been inspired and energized by the beauty of nature <br />with a fondness for animals, birds and flowers," shares Oglesby. <br />"When considering a subject for the Cherry Blossom Festival, my mind <br />went to the Mejiro, or Warbling White Eye, a bird often seen flitting <br />around the brightly colored blossoms of the cherry tree. I chose soft <br />pastel as my medium for its exceptional color vibrancy. The Mejiro <br />appears in its fluffier form„ often seen after a quick dip in a birdbath or <br />when the wind is blowing." <br />Oglesby studied art, interior design and merchandising <br />at The University of North Texas and moved to <br />Kailua-Kona in 2013 after a varied career in retail <br />merchandising, web design and flower farming in <br />Oregon. In 2021, Oglesby started her "Birds of the Big <br />Island" series featuring watercolor and charcoal <br />depictions of the birds she encounters during Big <br />Island hikes. <br />In 2022, Oglesby partnered with her photographer <br />husband to form Oglesby Art as a way to combine their <br />artistic pursuits. Together, they sell their work through <br />various Big Island stores and galleries, as well as their <br />website, https://oglesbyart.com/. Her original pieces <br />can be seen at the Firehouse Gallery. <br />Limited Ediiition Only 10 <br />1011, <br />,,,'i-0 <br />The 11 x 17" Poster is only available at the Firehouse <br />Gallery. Laurel will be available to talk story and sign <br />this year's collector posters on Festival day. <br />Facebook: Firehouse Gallery and Waimea Arts Council 808-887-1052 www.WaimeaArtsCounciL.org <br />