Artsplosure is pleased to announce that Boston artist Bren Bataclan will present "Smile Raleigh: Everything Will Be Alright" as part of this year's First Night Raleigh celebration. Bataclan has received global attention for his signature paintings, which he randomly leaves throughout various cities as a way to brighten the lives of those who pick them up. The paintings are part of the "free art" movement, and the artist only asks that anybody who picks one up promises to smile at random people more often. Bataclan leaves his works anywhere from park benches to hospitals to unemployment agencies.

In addition to being on hand at First Night Raleigh 2010 on December 31, Bataclan will be in Raleigh November 18-20 to conduct workshops with local art students. He will also drop off 15 of his paintings in random places throughout Raleigh.

Bataclan began the Smile Boston project in 2003 and has since left his paintings in 20 states and 20 countries. He originally sold his paintings, but when he realized that not enough people were smiling, perhaps due to the economic downturn, he decided to start giving them away for free. He has been featured on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric and in publications such as Reader's Digest, Smithsonian Magazine and the Chicago Tribune.

In addition, Bataclan will be on hand at First Night Raleigh to construct a picture puzzle installation from his own paintings, as well as those of the students he works with in November. The installation can be seen inside the lobby of the RBC Plaza on Thursday, December 31. For more information on Bataclan, visit www.bataclan.com.

First Night Raleigh admission buttons will be available at local Harris Teeter and Rite Aid stores, as well as other local outlets, beginning December 1. Buttons are $9 in advance for children ages 6-12 and adults. Children five and under are admitted free. At the event, buttons are $10 for children ages 6-12 and $12 for adults.

First Night Raleigh is a weather-proof New Year's Eve celebration of the arts and community featuring performances in 28 indoor and outdoor venues throughout downtown Raleigh. The festival includes the early afternoon Children's Celebration, early & late countdowns, the People's Procession, music, dance, theatre, the giant Acorn Drop, and fireworks. Scheduled to appear are Annuals, Crucial Fiya, Justin David, Barbara Bailey Hutchison, Bob Margolin, Lenny Marcus Trio, Red Herring Puppets, and El Gleno Grande, among others.

For more information on the event, visit www.firstnightraleigh.com.

Related Links

1. http://www.firstnightraleigh.com
2. http://www.bataclan.com