Art of Compassion featured at Rehoboth Beach VegFest June 13-15

Organizers of Rehoboth Beach VegFest are delighted that a unique art installation of 34 Compassion word paintings from John Schlimm's "The Book of Compassion" series has been added to this year's VegFest weekend festivities. Combining elements of pop, folk, and contemporary art styles, Schlimm's multi-colored 16-inch-by-20-inch canvasses will be showcased together for the first time publicly with a special exhibition at Philip Morton Gallery, 47 Baltimore Ave., throughout the weekend of June 13-15.

In addition, a free welcome reception for people to meet the artist in person will take place at the gallery from 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday June 14, as part of the Rehoboth Beach Mosaic Second Saturday art walk. The public is warmly invited to attend.

Schlimm is an international award-winning vegan author, activist, visual artist, and also this year's emcee at the 2014 Rehoboth Beach VegFest. Schlimm commented, "I'm humbled and honored to have my flagship collection of 34 Compassion paintings from 'The Book of Compassion' debut at the highly esteemed Philip Morton Gallery. Like with my vegan cookbooks and speeches across the country, my art pieces are each one more way of connecting with others to spread a positive message."

Philip Morton Gallery, established in 2007 and winner of Delaware Today's Best of Delaware three years in a row, offers a unique selection of fine art in original modern paintings, sculptures, mixed media and glass in a variety of mediums and sizes from artists from the region and around the world.

Director Eric Davison said, "We're so pleased that Philip Morton Gallery is participating in Rehoboth Beach VegFest as the select location to debut John's Schlimm's effusive Compassion paintings. As a grouping, the series is visually stimulating, thought-provoking, and compelling, sparking the imagination while leaving a vivid and lasting impression. I encourage the community to come see his work."

In addition to the exhibition, two of Schlimm's participatory art pieces will be on site at the VegFest Festival at Epworth Church Saturday June 14:  "Planting Compassion" and the 18-foot-long "The Smile That Changed the World (is yours)"  Festival-goers of all ages can take part personally in these works. Schlimm said, "My two participatory art pieces are an opportunity for us all -children and adults - to embrace compassion together in a fun, inspiring, and creative way. By doing this, we mindfully move the world ahead a few more steps and are reminded just how interconnected we all are."

More information is at http://www.johnschlimm.com.

Information about Philip Morton Gallery is at www.philipmortongallery.com. Details about Rehoboth Beach VegFest are at www.rehobothvegfest.org.