'Delta Vineyards,' selected from 18 entries throughout the district of State Senator Lois Wolk for inclusion in an exhibit at the state capitol

From the News-Ledger
May 25, 2011

  A painting by West Sacramento’s Paula Wenzl Bellacera has been selected to represent the Fifth Senate District in the annual California Contemporary Art Collection exhibit at the state capitol, reports the office of State Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis).

   The Southport artist’s painting “Delta Vineyards” was selected from among 18 entries in the district by a representative from the Yolo Arts Council.

  “The piece is a wonderful representation of our region’s cultural landscapes,” said Wolk in a press release. “I look forward to seeing Ms. Bellacera’s unique painting displayed alongside the work of artists from throughout California.”

 The work will be on display from June of this year through September of 2012 in the capitol building. An image of the arwork and a biography of Bellacera will also be included on Senator Wolk’s website.

The artist:
Paula Wenzl Bellacera

  “I am always inspired by the changing beauty of our local landscape – agricultural fields, orchards, waterways and wetlands,” commented Bellacera. “This painting conveys the peaceful beauty of a Yolo County vineyard and represents the award-winning wine industry established along the Sacramento Delta.”

  Bellacera combines photographic techniques, print-making, paint and mixed media to create “neo-romantic” images. “Delta Vineyard” uses “encaustic”painting, layering melted beeswax with pigments and resin onto a wooden panel.

  The artist earned a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Tulane University before training in art and photography. She is a California native.

  Bellacera’s husband, Joseph Bellacera, is also an artist. He is responsible for the “stacked books” sculpture in front of West Sacramento’s library branch at 1212 Merkley Avenue, and for an “unfolding scroll” artwork at the Davis library branch.

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