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ATLANTA ARTIST ONE OF TWELVE IN U.S. SELECTED TO EXHIBIT AT CARROUSEL DU LOUVRE

He’s Part of First U.S. Delegation to show at the Societe Nationale Des Beaux Arts

ATLANTA – December 7 – Atlanta-based artist Jeff Williams is one of 12 artists selected to represent the U.S. for the first time ever in the esteemed Societé Nationale des Beaux-Arts (SBNA) exhibit December 13 – 16 at the Carrousel du Louvre. Williams is showing his painting, Ladies of Leisure, along with other works from the Karen Lynne Gallery.

The Gallery, and its selected artists, is privileged and honored to be the very first American delegation – and one of small group worldwide – to be invited by the Societé, an organization established more than 100 years ago. As such, Williams and the American contingent will make history in a few days at the Carrousel du Louvre, under the museum’s modern pyramid in Paris.

Williams, a native of Americus, Georgia, is one of nine painters whose work will be on display. Three sculptors round out the American delegation. Other countries exhibiting in the SBNA in 2007 include Serbia, Tunisia, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Polynesia, Hungary, Korea, Japan, China and Turkey. Ambassadors and official representatives of the delegated countries are invited, including dignitaries and around 4,000 guests.

The Societé Nationale des Beaux-Arts was established in 1862, and the exhibit has been held annually since the early 1900s. Some of the world’s most famous artists were members of the Societé and showed their work in the world renowned exhibit.

“I am incredibly honored and absolutely thrilled to be included in an exhibit where Auguste Rodin and Edouard Manet were once members and juried artists,” Williams said. “Being part of the first group to represent the United States at such an important event within the home of the World’s most significant art collections is truly humbling.”

While the SNBA has a rich history of some very well-known artists from years past, today the show features modern-day painting and sculpture from living artists.
It is not an easy invitation to receive. Williams’ painting was one of 12 chosen out of 480 works submitted from 40 artists represented by the Karen Lynne Gallery. And, the gallery itself was able to submit for evaluation with SBNA only after it received a personal recommendation from a current SBNA member from Canada’s delegation. The Canadian member walked into the Karen Lynne’s Boca Raton location while on vacation, and was so impressed that she immediately called the SBNA’s organizers to recommend they invite the gallery to participate.