By PAUL STANSBURY

Contributing writer

On Sept. 18, the Art Center of the Bluegrass invites you to meet one of Danville’s most accomplished visual artists. Sheldon Tapley is the H.W. Stodghill Jr. and Adele H. Stodghill Professor of Art at Centre College and is nationally known for his still-life paintings.

Tapley will discuss his craft, with particular attention paid to his painting, “Still Life with Flowers,” recently acquired by the Art Center.

Executive Director Niki Kinkade says the Art Center was honored to add the piece to its permanent collection. “As our organization grows, we felt it was important to acquire pieces by some of Danville’s shining stars. We want to celebrate and honor our roots in this community, even as we expand to more fully serve surrounding communities more fully.”

This is Tapley’s second visit with Lunch With the arts. His first was in 2010.  Since that time, he has been busy with his teaching responsibilities at Centre, as well as creating and exhibiting his art.

Tapley, Chair of Art History and Studio Art Programs, often paints and draws alongside his students in the studio. “Working with students, seeing their skill, creativity and confidence grow is very rewarding. I stay in touch with many alumni. It is a great pleasure watching their careers develop.”

The Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento, and The Evansville Museum have presented solo exhibitions of Tapley’s art. His paintings and drawings have been shown at public institutions across the country, including the Naples Museum of Art, Arkansas Arts Center, University of Kentucky Art Museum,  Southern Ohio Museum, Manifest Gallery and Grinnell College, his alma mater. Tapley is an exhibiting member of Zeuxis, a select association of still life painters who curate touring shows for museums and universities.

Tapley was honored as the Martha & Merrit de Long Memorial Artist-in-Residence at the Evansville Museum. The Kentucky Arts Council awarded him an Al Smith Fellowship. At Centre, he has been awarded the Kirk Prize for excellence in teaching, the Cantrell Endowed Professorship, and the Stodghill Endowed Professorship.

Most recently, Tapley exhibited eight landscape paintings in a major group show entitled “The Sublime: Romantic Landscapes” at Cincinnati Art Galleries in March. This May, he and wife Ann were featured in an episode of KET’s series “Kentucky Life”.

A selection of Tapley’s paintings and drawings, emphasizing his recent work, may be found on his website, sheldontapley.com. He has also included a blog to inform readers about his professional activity, including exhibitions, publications, works-in-progress and videos.

The upcoming Lunch with the Arts calendar includes the following presenters: Tripp Bratton, African Rhythm Fusion, Oct. 15; Matthew & Kate Maynard, Architectural Ironwork, Nov. 20; and the Young At Heart Band, Dec. 20.

Website: artcenterky.org

IF YOU GO

Lunch with the Arts, featuring Sheldon Tapley, will be noon-1 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Art Center of the Bluegrass. Cost is $5/door; $3 for students.