Wine lovers and art collectors are invited to the unveiling of watercolorist Eric Christensen’s latest painting, which commemorates Grgich Hills Estate’s 30th anniversary.

Grgich Hills wines will be paired with a selection of cheeses at the reception April 21, 2-4 p.m. at the winery, 1829 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford.

Christensen is a wine country artist whose work has been featured in publications such as Wine Spectator, Wine Country Living and Napa Valley Register and in fine art galleries across the U.S. Self-taught, he has developed a watercolor technique that allows him to create images of vibrant color and near photo-like quality. For more information about Eric Christensen, visit ericchristensenart.com

Limited-edition giclées of the painting will be available for purchase. Admission to the unveiling is $25, complimentary to Grgich Hills wine club members. R.S.V.P. to 963-2784 or wineclub@grgich.com /Register

After a successful exhibit in New York City, Napa gets to enjoy the colorful and cheerful paintings of  longtime St. Helena resident Layla Fanucci when her new show “Fascination with Color” opens at Artissimo Gallery in Napa. The six-week exhibit begins with an artist’s reception on  April 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Artissimo. Live jazz, hors d’oeuvres, and sparkling wine will be provided. Artissimo is in Redwood Plaza, 3373 Solano Ave., Napa. Info, 257-1889.  /Register

 

Thanks to the generosity of collectors Mary and David Robinson, the di Rosa Preserve: Art & Nature has added Robert Hudson’s signature 1975 sculpture, “Running Through the Woods”  to its collection.

 The Robinsons, founding members of the di Rosa Preserve, chose the di Rosa for their gift because they knew that the piece would occupy a central place in the collection, complementing existing works by Hudson and his contemporaries.The piece is  now on display in the di Rosa Preserve Main Gallery. The di Rosa collection includes 27 additional works by Robert Hudson, including large and small sculptures, paintings and ceramics spanning more than 35 years in his distinguished career.

Hudson was born in 1938 and grew up in rural Washington state with artists William T. Wiley and William Allan. Hudson was powerfully influenced by his peers, their teacher Jim McGrath, a rich outdoor life, and the strong Native American culture in his home region. He received his MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1963, and has lived and worked prolifically in Cotati since 1977. Hudson’s formally and spatially complex work is known for its humor, wit, irony and colorful imagery, combining natural and manmade objects.

For reservations to visit di Rosa or information, call 226-5991 or visit www.dirosapreserve.org. /Register