The James River Art League announces their upcoming 9th Annual Artist Member Exhibit, to be held June 4th until June 25th, 2011, at the James Center Atrium, 1051 East Cary Street. Richmond artist, Christopher Wynn, will be the judge for the exhibit. Awards will be presented at the JRAL public reception Sunday, June 12th from 2-4 pm at the atrium lobby adjacent to Omni Hotel.Mr. Wynn will select paintings for awards in the following categories- oiland acrylic, watercolor/water media and "other", which includes pastel, pencil, pen and ink, wood cut prints, photography and mixed media. A "Best in Show Award" will also be selected. The James River Art League has a current membership of 74-juried artists. The art league is one of the oldest artists' groups in the Richmond area, founded in 1964, with the mission to encourage the creation and appreciation of good art.

Christopher Wynn majored in fine arts at the University of Washington and the University of California Berkeley, where he graduated with a B.S. After graduating, he worked for years as art director and creative director for numerous corporations and advertising agencies on the West Coast, establishing his own company in 1992 at wynncreative.com.

Initially trained in watercolors, Christopher painted in oils for many decades, but still returned to watercolor because of its purity and transparency. Currently, his watercolors are featured by numerous art venues on both West and East coasts. Mr. Wynn, working as a full-time watercolor artist, describes himself as a "contemporary realist". He has memberships in over 13 professional organizations, including being a Signature Member of the Alabama, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Virginia Watercolor Societies.

Along with the award presentations at the artist reception on June 12th, music will fill the Atrium, presented by harpist Sarah Towler, a sophomore at Collegiate HS and Meghan Ellwood, a freshman at Atlee HS. The are both members of the touring group, American Youth Harp Ensemble. For more information about Christopher Wynn, please check his web site at www.wynncreative.com and the JRAL art League at www.jamesriverartleague.org.