BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Center for the Arts will host the Oil Painters of America 2012 Eastern Regional Exhibition from Sept. 29 through Oct. 28, with many exhibiting artists expected to be in attendance for the opening events on Sept. 28 and 29, and the formal opening reception taking place on Saturday, Sept. 29.

This year’s show will feature approximately 100 paintings by some of North America’s best oil painters, including many OPA Master Signature Members, as well as some of today’s most talented emerging artists, OPA President and Master Signature member Neil Patterson said in supplied material. "The Bennington Center for the Arts has an excellent reputation in the art community, and we are excited to have them host this exhibition."

The opening events include lectures, demonstrations and a display of work completed by the attending artists that will be painting around Bennington on Friday, Sept. 28. The artists will meet back at the BCA late in the afternoon to display and, possibly, sell the work that they painted en plein air in locations such as the Southern Vermont College, the Old First Church, downtown Bennington and the covered bridges.

"We really hope that those around the area interested in art will be able to come and spend time with us for this exciting weekend," Shirley Hutchins, BCA gallery director, said in supplied material. "Some very talented artists will be here and the educational opportunities for artists and art lovers alike are wonderful."

Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m., Master Signature artist Kenn Backhaus will conduct a painting demonstration, followed at 2 p.m., by guest lecturer Michael Cassin from the Sterling and Francine Clark Institute. Cassin will present a talk on three of the Clark’s most preeminent artists: Winslow Homer, Frederic Remington and John Singer Sargent. The opening reception begins at 5:30 p.m. All of these events are free and open to the public.

The evening concludes with a ticketed concert by nationally renowned musician Tom Rush at 8 p.m.

According to supplied material, OPA’s goal with each show is "to assemble the finest display of representational oil paintings, created by their membership. The focus in the jurying process is to select paintings that show the highest quality in draftsmanship, color, and composition, emphasizing a diversity in representational style and subject matter."

Pieces were juried into the show this year by artists from as far away as Alabama and Newfoundland. The total awards will be approximately $11,500, including a $4,000 award to the Best In Show. The awarding juror for this year’s 2012 exhibition will be internationally renowned Master Signature member Kenn Backhaus.

The Oil Painters of America’s mission is to advance the cause of traditional, representational fine art. Dedicated to preserving and promoting excellence in representational art, OPA’s primary focus is to draw attention to the lasting value of fine drawing, color, composition and the appreciation of light. The Bennington Center for the Arts is located at 44 Gypsy Lane, on Route 9, just west of Old Bennington. All work in the exhibition is for sale. For information call 802-442-7158 or visit TheBennington.org