Post 563: Art Show Themes That Make You Go Hmmm

Art Show Themes That Make You Go Hmmm

Calls for Art are interesting yet contemplative things for an artist. When a call for art shows up in your inbox or you see one in your social media, one of the first things you take note of is the title of the show. One of the next questions (for me at least), is where is it? This blog post looks at some of the perplexing art show themes, titles and other things where artists end up scratching their heads and going, "Hmmm". 

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Now, What Shall We Call Our Art Show?

I do realize of course that art galleries / art spaces need to name their upcoming scheduled art shows something. I could be wrong, but I'm thinking its more for the public's interest and promoting it than for the artist's sake except that how else are you going to refer to it? A call for art / art show name can make it appealing and a curiosity to the public and make it stand out, to even be a memorable event. Understood.

You can't very well name them "January", "February", "March", etc. for a lot of reasons. Many art shows don't sit in exactly those time frames either. So, what's in a name? I suppose a lot.

"Hey, do you remember that art show we did a couple of years ago called 'Coloring the County'?" - Yes, that name works better than saying, "Do you remember that art show we did in May 2022?" AND the name was pretty generic - a vague hint of submitting some colorful artwork... more or less.

And then there are the typical art show names, like "Art in Motion (insert whatever)...", "A Journey Through (insert whatever)...", and "Art Unleashed (insert whatever)...". Hmmmm. I'm thinking bicycling, traveling in my car, and freeing my canvases...

And THEN the questions that must be answered for you to figure out if you can enter the show:

1. Does the time frame work for me - from drop off/pickup and actual show dates?
2. Does the art I have fit the size or medium requirements they are asking for?
3. Does the location work for me - how far away is it? 

Yes, location. As in WHERE the heck IS IT? I come across a lot of art calls online BUT finding out what state or city or even the country the thing is in is absolutely missing. Put out a APB to find that art show! Very often I have to do an internet search to find out WHERE it is! Maybe its me, but I think that's an important thing to PUT ON THE ART CALL. Last I remember, the internet is global.

And finally...

What is the art theme, and what the heckles are they asking for? There are titles I have puzzled over definitely. I don't like the idea of submitting my art to the show and hoping it fits the puzzle.

Photo by Reid Naaykens on Unsplash

Hmmm. Google needs to come up with an art show app to decipher the names of art shows. Does anyone have an app for that?

Is the name actually the theme of art they want you to submit or it is just a generic name of the show? 

"April Showers Bring May Flowers" is rather obvious. "A Sense of Play - Young at Heart" would leave me baffled. Whimsical art maybe?

The art call should spell it all out for you - IN YOUR FACE! I'm talking neon light here in some fancy colors.

Like: 

"OPEN CALL - Landscape"

Ok easy enough there, they want landscapes. K.I.S.S.

"Call for Art Word and Image"

Also pretty easy, they want some kind of image and some text on the art in some manner. Whoever can mix that up in a meaningful and delightful way gets in I presume.

Befuddling Art Show Names 

I can't be the only one here...How many of you have read the title of the art show and thought, "What the heck are they asking for?" And they want you to write up a statement about the art that you submit for it! Including how your artwork reflects that theme. Hmmmm.

I did just come across an art call like this: "Call for Artists - Get ready for the biggest art show of the year! 8' x 8' Small Canvas Art Show". Do you see the problem with that one?

Even "Emerging Artists" shows - hey I'm still emerging. I haven't been doing art all that long. Or are they asking for the spring chickens here?

Sometimes you just must bring out the soapbox (maybe in this instance I should say the pochade box) and say a thing on your mind. Sure, it is good to have an interesting and appealing name for an art show's call for art. But I do like the clarity of a oh, they want THIS kind of art. Just hopefully, I have something that will fit the moniker.

I'd love to hear some art show names that have puzzled you as well. Drop a comment!

As a sidenote, check out this list 1,015 Memorable Exhibition Name Ideas to Spark Curiosity

 

This blog post was originally posted on Donna's Cave Painting Blog on July 1, 2025 by Donna Liguria.

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Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment (below)! ...Remember, comments are monitored so they will not show up immediately.

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Post 562: What PWAS Members Are Up to This Summer Part 2

What PWAS Members Are Up to This Summer Part 2

Here's another blog post from the Prince William Art Society members, where I ask a question and await to see who answers. The question posted was, "What have you been up to this summer so far?" I wondered and asked the members to send me what they've been up to, any new artwork, taking any classes, going somewhere for a vacation, or just plain taking a break. Let's have a look what the artist's days have been filled with.

See Part 1 of What PWAS Members Are Up to This Summer as well. 

PWAS Member Jennifer Batty

As July comes to an end I wonder myself where this summer has gone. I have not done much art these past few months, but rather spent time with family at the pool or beach. I have taken pictures and gathered a lot of memories to get me to next summer. I have tried my hand at perspective painting with architecture. A real challenge for me, however I feel I made progress from my last attempt. I also finished a painting that I started in the spring of a flower that my neighbor had grown. I am also including a watercolor picture I painted at a class I took at the beginning of summer.  That was just so much fun!! 

 

PWAS Member JJ Roberts

I've been working on a couple of paintings when I get time for I have been a  little busy. I have been giving classes on engraving to individual students, doing restoration work on firearms, and engraving on knives and firearms. Here are a few  silver point drawings and engraving on a Buck knife of birds of prey.

We all love seeing the art that our PWAS members are up to and get a glimpse into their lives and processes. Thank you to all that input into these 2 posts! Follow us to watch what's coming next!

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Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment (below)! ...Remember, comments are monitored so they will not show up immediately.

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Post 561: After the Meeting, Guest Speaker Delwyn Elizabeth

After the Meeting, Guest Speaker Delwyn Elizabeth

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) has had some really great programs over the years at our monthly meetings. Monday, July 28, 2025 - on all kinds of art topics. We have had a artists demonstrating watercolor, acrylics, pastels, using Golden Art Products, art journaling, plein air painting, learned about photo art and digital art, packing for traveling, art business tips, made art with our friends. learned about art committees and commissions, learned more about each other, made "art reveal videos", had various art challenges, viewed monoprints being made, and awarded scholarships to name a few different topics. This past program was about hanging our art work in a local library.

Ever Hang Art in a Library?

PWAS, as a group, has hung art in several of our local libraries that have the space to do so. Namely, the Montclair Library and the Bull Run Library. But solo artists - if they have enough art to show in the space and it is approved, also can submit a form for processing. The wait varies per library as well as the available dates and space. Delwyn Elizabeth walked the PWAS members through the "how-tos" of applying.

If you would like to see a recap of past guest programs, do a search on the keyword "PWAS Meetings" and have a happy walk back in time! 

 

Emily Hawes introducing Delwyn Elizabeth 

 

Delwyn discussing how to apply and showing the space available at the Montclair Library.  

 

Montclair Library  5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA

Perhaps it is time you applied for a library show....(note to self too)

PWAS Meetings

PWAS holds our monthly meetings on the 4th Monday of the month, every month except in December. The meetings are typically held at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA which is on the corner of Hedges Run and Cotton Mill in the Lakeridge area. Hedges Run is right off of Old Bridge Road, where the Giant is. 

In December, we hold a member + one adult Christmas party with the date to be determined - and of course with so many very talented artists...we almost always have our own musicians as well. Talented people I tell ya! They paint, they draw, they sketch, they teach art. They make digital art, they photograph beauty. And on top of that, some of them make music too.

The artists cheer each others successes, and help when another artist has a question about art dilemmas they run into. We work together as a team at our art events and have fun in every way we can!

As you can see, miss a meeting and you miss a lot. Join PWAS today if you haven't already! 

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Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

Photos by Donna Liguria 

Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment (below)! ...Remember, comments are monitored so they will not show up immediately.

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Post 590: Prince William Art Society Monthly Meeting July 28 7:30pm

Prince William Art Society Monthly Meeting July 28 7:30pm

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) has a monthly meeting held on the 4th Monday of the month and the public is welcome to attend to see what Prince William County's oldest art group has going on. Meetings can vary, but typically we have a guest speaker, possibly doing a demo, offering art tips on multiple art topics, and/or discussing their own art processes for their artwork.

 

Tall Oaks Community Building on the corner of Cotton Mill Drive and Hedges Run (just past where Giant is off Old Bridge Road) 

Senior Librarian Delwyn Elizabeth

On July 28th the Prince William Art Society will meet at the Tall Oaks Community Center (12298 Cotton Mill Dr., Woodbridge VA, 22192) at 7:30 PM for a general membership meeting. Meetings are free and open to the public who are invited to attend, and will begin with a program by a guest speaker. This month, Senior Librarian at the Montclair library, Delwyn Elizabeth, will share current information on the expanded exhibit space, plans for using this space to showcase local artists, and how to get your work exhibited. Come for this opportunity to hear updated information and ask questions.

 

Montclair Library 5049 Waterway Dr, Montclair, VA 22025

Come Join Us!

My fellow artists in Prince William County, come join us at our meeting, we have a lot of very interesting artist members and folks that just plain love art. You could be a part of us and our group!

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Author: Emily Hawes

Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment (below)! ...Remember, comments are monitored so they will not show up immediately.

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Post 589: What PWAS Members Are Up to This Summer Part 1

What PWAS Members Are Up to This Summer Part 1

Here's another blog post from the Prince William Art Society members, where I ask a question and await to see who answers. The question posted was, "What have you been up to this summer so far?" I wondered and asked the members to send me what they've been up to, any new artwork, taking any classes, going somewhere for a vacation, or just plain taking a break. Let's have a look what the artist's days have been filled with.

PWAS Member Bettie Sperty

What I have been up to this summer is a good question. 

I have recently been wondering where the months of June and July went! Mainly because I don’t feel like I’ve really done anything! What I have done is spend a little time in my vegetable garden, took a couple of visits to N.C. to see family, helped work on the granddaughter’s treehouse in our back yard, had her come visit us for a couple of weekends, dog sat a few times for two different dogs, attended a few meetings. 

As for creativity, I did make some pottery pieces to use as paint brush vases/holders, I painted a friend’s cement dog to look like her real dog and now painting her giant cement crab, worked on knitting projects and just this past weekend got to spend 3 days at our friend’s place on the water in Southern Maryland.

Not very exciting but not too shabby either. - Bettie

PWAS Member Robert Mira

As far as what I’m doing for the next 30 days, I've started to learn and practice drawing. It’s an art which I thought I could never do but practicing every day has provided some positive results as far as I’m concerned. 

I’ve learned how to have better control when creating lines, how to see things in a basic form, get better at figure proportions, etc…

My goal is to later on bring those skills into my paintings. Here are some samples:

PWAS Member Donna Liguria

I had to pause myself and think back on where has the summer gone....already! The Best of the Region at the ARTfactory seems like ages ago, yet its only the end of July. Like Bettie, I grow a vegetable garden although much smaller. And I love all the great home-grown tomatoes and fresh basil. BLTs, roasted tomatoes, pesto...good eats.

Through those many rainy days we had, I've inventoried and reordered my giclee art prints, and got those packaged. I've been updating my Etsy shop and sold a few things there, and shipped those orders out. I've attended a workshop with Valerie Larson and I've described that on my blog here Donna's Cave Paintings. I did get started on the Tech Series talked about in the workshop post, here is what I have so far:

Tech Series 1 Instagram for Artists

Tech Series 2 Are You Reeling on Instagram?

Tech Series 3 How to Be Pinteresting

Tech Series 4 The Blogging Story

I've completed a commission for the DC Four Seasons Series I did, and this one is called, "A Capital Summer". And it was picked up by the client just before the Fourth of July. 

 I've also packaged the DC Four Seasons Series as a print package available on Etsy. I have "Cherry Blossoms, An Annual DC Event" (Spring), "A Capital Summer", "Lincoln Memorial in the Fall", and "White House Having a White Christmas" (Winter).

 And I'm waking up each morning to multiple colors of Morning Glory flowers which find their way onto canvas and watercolor paper. I have a blog post on that here. Other than that, I've been applying to a few of the area Art Calls, so awaiting the verdict on those.

 

Let's see if we can go to a Part 2 on What PWAS Members Are Up to This Summer. PWAS Members? Send me your stuff by July 31! When I get 3-5 replies, we'll do a part 2. Visitors...post a comment below!

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Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment (below)! ...Remember, comments are monitored so they will not show up immediately.

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