KICK OFF SUMMER AT STIFEL OUTDOOR WINE TASTING

WHEELING, W.Va. (June 2, 2009)- - Area residents can celebrate the official beginning of the summer season while socializing with friends in the lovely gardens of the Stifel Fine Arts Center.

Oglebay Institute closes its 2008-2009 Art of Wine series with an outdoor wine tasting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, June 19 that features several “surprise” wine selections, light food and musical entertainment by acoustic and soft rock band “Bridges.”

“Our outdoor wine events are very popular,” Stifel Center director Rick Morgan said. “The atmosphere is great. There is just something very relaxing about sipping a great vintage on the lawn of the historic Stifel mansion.”

In addition to the wine selections, guests at the event will enjoy a delicious buffet of light foods prepared by Figaretti’s Restaurant while listening to the soothing sounds of “Bridges,” featuring Kim Butler, Doug Pettit and Dave Pettit, performing songs from artists such as the Eagles, the Beatles, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Van Morrison and more.

Guest can also stroll the Stifel Gardens, which include garden sculptures, seasonal flowers, shrubs and a goldfish pond that dates to the era of the home’s construction, and browse the current art exhibit “Figuratively Speaking,” which features soulful portraiture in charcoals, graphite, colored pencil, watercolor, oils and acrylics by members of the Independent Artists’ Group of Wheeling.

Sponsored by H.E. Neumann Co., a new Stifel wine tasting season begins in September, and Morgan promises a full season of surprises. To get on the wine tasting mailing list, call the Stifel Fine Arts Center at 304.242.7700 or visit on the web at www.oionline.com Season tickets are available.

Admission to the June 19 event is $30. Members of Oglebay Institute receive a discount. Call 304-242-7700 for reservations. Payment is required at the time of reservation.

The Stifel Center is located at 1330 National Road, Wheeling and welcomes the public daily to art, dance and fitness classes, craft activities and ongoing art exhibitions.

This program is made possible through the generous support of the members of the Institute as well as with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts.