REDLANDS, Calif. – Former Redlands High football player Ray Fedorchak will be one of five artists featured during the annual “Evening with the Artists” hosted by the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation on Friday, April 25. Fedorchak, an award-winning artist based in Fallbrook, will have his impressionistic works inspired by vibrant pastel colors for sale during the event.

Fedorchak has been an active painter in pastel since 1976, creating works of art in the Impressionist tradition. Fedorchak started painting in pastels because of their rich and vibrant colors which express the golden Southern California light that inspires him. He enjoys creating works that are full of action. But just as important to him are the moments between actions. Those moments that are quiet, reflective and contemplative inspire him as they did Edgar Degas, the artist who has been the most influential to Fedorchak

“Painting in pastels reminds me of the rich and vibrant color of the light here in Southern California,” says Fedorchak. “The golden hues absolutely inspire me.”

Fedorchak spent part of his childhood growing up in Redlands and played football and wrestled for Redlands High School. He always liked to draw but never fully pursued his love of art until he took life drawing classes in the 70s. He then began painting in 1976, when he moved to Fallbrook, California. He currently resides there, where he is the former owner of the Mexican restaurant, El Jardin.

As an active pastel painter, Fedorchak follows the Impressionist tradition in his artwork. Throughout his career, Fedorchak has studied under national renowned Pastel artists Daniel Greene, Sally Strand, Carole Katchen, Leslie B. DeMille, Frank Tauriello and Albert Handel. He has been featured in many exhibitions and private collections, and he was a featured artist at Brandon Gallery in Fallbrook several times.

Fedorchak joins local artists Aida Schneider, Angela Koenig, Martha Cowan, and Seung Lee at the annual “Evening with the Artists” event. Fedorchak’s artwork will be available for purchase at the Stan and Ellen Weisser Education Pavilion from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25. Proceeds will benefit the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation’s art fund. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served during the evening’s elegant event. Tickets are $20.

The Foundation’s art program began in 1978 and today, the hospital exhibits a collection of more than 750 works of original art and historic photographs in the Redlands Community Art collection.

For more information on the “Evening with the Artists” event or to RSVP, please call (909) 335-5500.