REDLANDS, Calif. – Palm Springs’ Charlie Ciali will be one of five artists featured during this year’s annual “Evening with the Artists” event, hosted by the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation on Friday, April 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Ciali’s art career began when he earned his B.F.A. Degree in Ceramic Arts from Daemen College, Amherst, New York in 1978 followed by graduate studies at Edinboro University, Edinboro, Pennsylvania. He became a flight attendant in 1980 and while working for the airline was also the Assistant Director for MC Fine Arts Gallery for seven years after which time he opened his own gallery, Perspectives Gallery in Minneapolis. He was the curator and director of Perspectives for six years prior to moving to Palm Springs where he resides today. After moving to California, Ciali began working in monotype and encaustic painting. Ciali has become a certified instructor for Speedball/AKUA Inks and Enkaustikos, encaustic supplies. He teaches several workshops throughout southern California including Idllywild Arts Summer Program and Master Classes for the Idyllwild Arts High School, as well as having taught numerous workshops at the Palm Springs Art Museum through the Artists Council. In addition, his studio is regularly used for open assisted studio sessions and private workshops in both mediums.

Encaustic painting is a four thousand year old painting technique using wax mixed with damar resin to create transparent layers which are then painted onto the surface. Ciali’s encaustic paintings explore the patinas created by time such as old brick walls and rusted metal. The artists says’ he sees paintings constantly in these natural occurrences.

His monotype prints are single edition prints, making each edition just as unique as the next. He paints juxtaposing pieces with a deconstructed feel, and is often using found objects such as old magazine prints, photos and handmade papers to create hidden messages that may be seen in the layers of his work.

“I like to use iconic imagery – like Robert Rauschenberg’s enthusiasm with the pop art movement,” Ciali says. “I often focus on things that are contemporary and culturally relative to what is happening around me. I like to reinvent the work with my own imagery,” he continues. “It’s all about letting you the viewer create the story. The work is about asking the question and your experience as the viewer creates the answer.”

Ciali is serving his fifth year as a mentor to high school students interested in pursuing art as a career. Each academic year, Ciali teaches a select few students through the Arts Institute of Palm Springs High School how to refine their art skills and style. Additionally, under a printmaking program in conjunction with the Palm Springs Unified School District, he instructs printmaking for grades three to twelve.

Ciali joins local artists Bill Hudson, Diana McLaughlin, Lisa McDill, and r. mike nichols at the annual “Evening with the Artists” event. Ciali’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 24. 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. Today, the hospital exhibits a collection of more than 800 works of original art and historic photographs in the Redlands Community Hospital Art collection.

For more information on the “Evening with the Artists” event or to RSVP, please call (909) 335-5500. To see a sample of Ciali’s artwork, please visit www.Charlieciali.com.

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Redlands Community Hospital Foundation supports Redlands Community Hospital, which is an independent not-for-profit, stand-alone hospital.