Sunday, June 15, 2025

Post 582: People's Choice Winner of Best of the Region 2025

People's Choice Winner of Best of the Region 2025

Sunday, June 15, 2025. Today is the final day of the Prince William Art Society sponsored and hosted Best of the Region Fine Art Show and Sale at the Manassas Art Factory. The show ran from June 3 to June 15 and featured 40 artists from all over the Northern Virginia area. The final award of the show is in - the vote of People's Choice.

Best of the Region Winners

Best of the Region Online Web Gallery

1st Place Mike Flynn of Gainesville, VA with his watercolor painting "Bull Run"

2nd Place Absku AKA Kwaku Oforit-Yirenkyi of Dumfries, VA with his mixed media (acrylic, fabric and oil) painting "Eternal Reflections"

3rd Place Corban Hubler of Centerville, VA, with his oil painting called "Ambush"

Honorable Mention 1 Michele Frantz, of Manassas, VA, with "Peaches in the Garden" in watercolor

Honorable Mention 2 Jill Brabant, of Manassas, VA, with "Summer Symphony" in oil

And finally, the gallery visitors had the opportunity to vote for their favorite artwork in the gallery during the length of the show. The people chose Emily Thomson's work "Hydra" as their winner. Congratulations Emily! This piece is a stunner!


"Hydra" on the wall 

"Hydra" on the wall  

Monday, June 16, 2025. Emily picked up her artwork today so her is the photo of her with her People's Choice Award.

Photo by Donna Liguria 

Well folks, we hope you enjoyed Prince William Art Society's Best of the Region Art Show 2025. Look for us soon around Prince William County - hopefully at Arts Alive and the Tall Oaks Fall Art Show. 

See all of the pictures from the Best of the Region Art Reception held on June 7, 2025

BoR Art Reception Part 1 

BoR Art Reception Part 2

BoR Art Reception Part 3

Would you be interested in doing a Best of the Region Show again? Let us know in the comments below.


Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

Photography/Video Credits: Otis Stanley

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

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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Thursday, June 12, 2025

Post 581: Bull Run Library Makers Faire Sat Jun 7, 2025

Bull Run Library Makers Faire Sat Jun 7, 2025

Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Bull Run Library Makers Faire in Manassas, VA. A few Prince William Art Society (PWAS) members were at the library and the art group has some art up in the foyer.

At the Faire were PWAS Members Arlene Hermansen, Bettie Sperty and Richard Tyler. 

On the wall in the foyer of the Bull Run Library is artwork by PWAS Members Mark Murphy, Arlene Hermansen, Kelly Haneklau, Donna Liguria, Bettie Sperty, JJ Robers, and Staci Blanchard. The artwork is for sale through the Prince William Art Society's online Art Store. Any questions about the Art Store are found here, on the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog - Support the arts!

















Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

Photography/Video Credits: Bettie Sperty and David Dillon

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

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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Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Post 580: Artist Emergency Kit

Artist Emergency Kit

What is an artist emergency kit? A goodie bag of items that an artist will need to have for the multiple, sometimes mini, often drastic emergencies that can come up. Especially when the artist is away from home, away from their art studios, and at the art show or gallery space to drop off their art, only to find something isn't quite right with their artwork. (HORRORS!!) 

Why You Need an Artist Kit

At every single art show that I've attended and volunteered to help with, while checking in the art on drop off day in preparation for an art show, there is usually one artist...often, more than one, where we find there is an issue with their artwork. Seriously, every-single-time

An art show calls for specific things in their requirements. Occasionally, additional directions or reminders might come in the form of a final email before the drop off day from the gallery coordinators. Yet, art still arrives with no way to even hang it. No hardware, no wire, no D-Rings, wrong hanging materials for what the gallery's hanging system requires. You name it, we've probably seen it. 

We've seen sides unfinished, saw-tooth hangers, and framing materials in which the artwork fell apart within the "mounting" that was attempted. It is to the point where not much surprises me any more...I say that cautiously, wondering WHAT will happen next. I know...I'm human too, but it is on my Art Show To-Do Checklist - BEFORE I Leave the House to look over my artwork. I should paint that on my front door.

Having an Artist Emergency Kit would help not only me, but potentially another artist for any just-in-case issues. Wait, the point is - YOU make your own!

Case in point. At a recent art check in day, an artist arrived with a large artwork and whomever prepped the artwork for the person, awkwardly used eye-hooks that would not have worked in that gallery. Meanwhile, another artist came in to drop off art while we were discussing the previous artist's dilemma. That second artist said, "Wait! I've got D-Rings in my car! I don't have wire because I used it already..." But that was perfect! Because the gallery did not hang the artwork from the wire, they hung it from the D-Ring.

Off to the car and a few minutes later, the second artist returned with a well-used case and opened it up. Inside were all sorts of knick-knacks that are tools of the trade for artists. The first artist gratefully borrowed the necessary tools and TA-DA! Artwork saved! (artist Asia Anderson is AWESOME!!)

At another gallery, we had an artist's spouse get angry with the art check-in crew (all volunteers, I might add) that WE did not PROVIDE the tools to FIX the artwork for his wife! 

Another time, there was artwork that came in with unfinished sides - a little harder to fix but someone had acrylic black paint...See, why I always post this link - Display?

Oddly enough, I also see artwork come in that isn't even signed. That is something I just don't understand. See Signature

See why not much surprises me any more? My suggestion for this blog post is to organize your own Artist Emergency Kit, customized to suit your specific needs for what you do. And keep that baby in your car all the time! That's your just-in-case case, case in point.

What to Include in Your Kit

The artist could adjust this list for his or her needs of course, but in working at multiple art groups and art delivery (dropoff) and art pickup days, there are several items that are plain must haves.

  1. Hanging Supplies
    1. D-Rings - 1-, 2-, and 3-hole rings*
    2. Metal Offset Clips
    3. Picture Hanging Wire*
  2. Tools 
    1. Ruler
    2. Small Level
    3. Screwdriver*
    4. Pliers
    5. Wire Cutter*
    6. Or a multi-tool or small tool kit
    7. Screws, nails 
  3. Personal Use Items
    1. Tissues
    2. Eye glass cleaner/wipes - can be used to clean glass framed artwork
    3. Lip Balm 
  4. Misc
    1. Push pins
    2. Red dots
    3. Permanent marker, Sharpie, Pen*
    4. Blank Labels with Name, Title, Medium, Size, Price Lines*
    5. Blue Tape*
    6. Glue 

 *High-priority must have items

Actually there is another type of kit that I suggest for artists to carry, and that is an Artist Go Kit. What I mean by that is an "Artist Go to the Show Kit". You cannot always depend on your art group or another artist for items necessarily - and its quicker if you have your own and know where everything is! 

Artist Go Kit

This kit is more when the artist is attending and displaying at an art show. There are always things that you need extra of or to help tie down the tent from flying away.

Include in your Go Kit:

  • Price Cards, Labels, Business Cards
  • Red and Black Sharpie
  • Tape, Twine, String, Wire, Duct Tape    
  • Scissors, Multi-Purpose Tool – screwdriver, hammer, pocketknife        
  • Pens, Rubber Bands        
  • Zip Ties, Clothespins, Curtain Hangers, Clothesline
  • Notebook, Index Cards    
  • Sewing Kit, Safety Pins, Measuring Tape    
  • Bungee Cords, Bulldog Clips
  • Battery Powered Lights    
  • Wet Wipes    
  • First Aid Kit, Ibuprofen, Chapstick (Hi Suzie! -old joke)
  • Small folding Step Stool (collapsible)
  • Small folding Chair (collapsible)
  • Camera & Batteries   
  • Bags - for merch that sells and trash bags (great quick just-in-case rain covers)
  • Chargers, Extension Cords
  • Tablecloth
  • Your own brochure or flyers for your upcoming events    
  • Snacks, Drinks, Water - for yourself plus some cash, even smaller bills in case your art show group has a lot of sales paid for with bigger bills. It HAS happened. 
  • Demo materials
For this kit, you might want to use a backpack or dufflebag.  
 
So, what do you think of my kit lists? Will you be ready the next time? What would you add to your kit?

Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

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

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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Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Post 579: A PWAS Art Reception at the ARTfactory for BoR - Part 3

A PWAS Art Reception at the ARTfactory for BoR - Part 3

Saturday, June 7, 2025 At the ARTfactory in Manassas, VA. The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) sponsored Best of the Region Fine Art Show and Sale (BoR) which opened June 3 and will run until June 15. art reception took place Saturday, June 7 and if you missed it, you missed a good one. The winners were crowned with beautiful ribbons and the artists were presented with their prizes. Everyone enjoyed the evening of art, artists, friends, family, art enthusiasts, food and beverages. But you can still see the show - its up until Sunday, June 15th.

 

Open the Door to the ARTfactory

And come up the steps, and enter the Best of the Region Fine Art Show and Sale.

Please see A PWAS Art Reception at the ARTfactory for BoR Part 1 and A PWAS Art Reception at the ARTfactory for BoR Part 2 

Artist and PWAS Member Scott Elliot (left), with PWAS Member David Dillon in background 
Scott Elliot's "Snowy Day Lake Royal"
Debra Keirce's "Vitruvian Son"
Mike and Sheri Herrick, with Mary Reilly and friend 
PWAS Members Nicole Fisher and Anna Gatling 
PWAS Members Donna Liguria and Kelly Haneklau avoiding the camera 
PWAS Member Eric Ndofor's "Masks in Shades" 
John Hartt's "Watermelon Fish" 

Absku and his Second-Place Winning artwork called "Eternal Reflections"
Voting for People's Choice - "pick me, pick me!!" (I heard someone say)
Artists and PWAS Members Anna Gatling (left) and Zee Berrios (right) with Lena Berrios (center) 

Artist Janet Hansen Martinet and her "Life on Assateague" below


Debra Keirce's "Musical Notes"
Staci Blanchard and Maria Briganti, PWAS Members
Anna Polanco's "Jack Skellington" 
Mike Flynn's "Bull Run" the First Place Winner 
 
 Rebekah Keener's artworks called "Hometown Holiday" above, and below is "Belonging"
  
Tom Payne (left), Absku and Scott Elliot to the right 
Absku and his painting "Mamadonna and Child"
 Ann McCarty's "Gathering Storm"
Michele Frantz's "Cusp of Spring, Big Meadows" above and "In a Dream" below
Carol Rusaw's "Lioness Beach"
Artist Russ Mardon and his "Aspens Near and Far" below
 

PWAS Member Danielle Bancroft's "Black Swan" 
Jill Brabant's "Ivory and Alabaster" 
Aurea's "Flower and Passion"
Artist and PWAS Member, Donna Liguria 
Donna Liguria's "Sunrise at Historic Manassas Train Station" 
Donna Liguria's "Garden Patio" above and below is her "No One Can Teach Riding So Well As A Horse" 
  
Eric Bohn's "Below the High Meadow" 
ARTfactory Staffer and Artist, Teresa Lopez 
Becky and Tom Payne
Artist and PWAS Member Anna Gatling 
PWAS Member Kelly Haneklau and her painting "One" 
L-R: Bettie Sperty, Donna Liguria (grabbing the chair on Kelly's painting), and Kelly Haneklau
L-R: Donna Liguria, Betty Sperty, Anna Gatling, Nicole Fisher and Kelly Haneklau
L-R: Jordan Exum (ARTfactory Director), Bettie, Anna, Absku, Nicole, Kelly and Donna
Artist John Hartt 
They must be looking up the artwork on the BoR Web Gallery https://bestoftheregionexhibit.artcall.org/pages/web-gallery

Artist Aurea
PWAS Member Artist Danielle Bancroft. Danielle has her artwork wired so that it can be hung horizontally or vertically
PWAS Member and Photograper / Artist, Otis Stanley - thank you for the journey! 

Well, that's the show, folks. It is up at the ARTfactory until June 15 so get by the gallery and see the works up close and personal. You honestly cannot appreciate the work fully until you have it right in front of you. Art must be experienced in person to feel it and to see the true texture, its size, the real colors, and to let it speak to you.

Part 1

Part 2 

Winner of the People's Choice 

What do you think of the show? Drop your comment below!


Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

Photography/Video Credits: Otis Stanley

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

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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