AURORA, Illinois (May 19, 2008) – The 2008 International Salon of Decorative Painters will be held at the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 30’s new 74,143 square-foot apprentice-training facility in Aurora on May 22-25. International participants will showcase their artistic skills, techniques and knowledge and celebrate the history of various art forms. The City of Aurora is one of the sponsors of the event this year. A collaborative mural will be bestowed to Mayor Tom Weisner on Saturday, May 24.
This year’s theme is “Music” and invites artisans to answer questions such as these: What color is rock ‘n’ roll? What do the Blues look like? Will classical music cause your brush to dance across the canvas differently?
The history of the Salon dates back to the early 1990’s. Initiated by grand master Alfred Marrecau and sponsored by the Belgium Independent Painters Society, a group of international artisans gathered in Belgium In 1996, Yannick Guegan invited leaders of the decorative world to gather at his studio and school in France. Since, the Salon has become an annual exhibition, held in a different country each year. There will be over 100 participants at this year’s event with an anticipated attendance of 5,000 spectators.

Michele Santilli, Salon 2008 organizer states, “This unique gathering, where world-renowned decorative painters come together to exchange ideas pertaining to our craft and to inspire the next generation of painters to new levels, has also begun to serve as an opportunity for the general public to get a rare glimpse into the world of decorative and faux painting at a level of expertise that they may not have known existed. It's an event where fine art and decorative art converge...a one of a kind experience for those who attend.”

Painters DC 30 is a sponsor and has donated the use of the venue. Other contributors include the IUPAT-International Council, the Finishing Contractors Association of Illinois, Golden Artist Colors, Faux Effects, Adicolor, Purdy Brushes and 3M Company.

Painters is located at 1905 Sequoia Drive in Aurora. Public hours are 10 a. m. -5 p.m. on May 22-24, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on May 25. Additional information is available at www.salonforever.com.

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The Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau serves as the tourism marketing and management organization for Aurora, Batavia, Hinckley, North Aurora, Montgomery, Plano, Sugar Grove and Yorkville. This not-for-profit organization provides numerous travel resources to visitors via the Web site at www.enjoyaurora.com and a toll-free number 1-800-477-4369