In Memorandum: James Joseph Gallagher
February 21, 1948 - March 29, 2022
A longtime member of the Prince William Arts Society and the Prince William County Arts Council, James Gallagher is being honored at Open Space Arts at Stonebridge in June 2022. His artwork will be displayed from June 1 to June 26, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Judy Gallagher. They were married for 30 years and would have celebrated 31 years on May 18th.
James Gallagher
Jimmy became an artist fairly late in life. Although he enjoyed art, he didn't pursue it until his 50s.
In 2010, he and Judy joined the Merrimac Farm Master Naturalists, a chapter within the Virginia Master Naturalist program where volunteers provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. There is a volunteer service requirement each year, and Jimmy's first project was to paint the entry kiosk at Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area in Nokesville.
The Prince William Conservation Alliance, which administers Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area along with the Marine Corps and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, organizes a Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm each year. Jimmy soon became active in the Conservation Alliance, and painted nature-themed rain barrels each year to be used as a fund raiser at the Bluebell Festival.
Various organizations had exhibits at the Bluebell Festival, and the Prince William Arts Society (PWAS) displayed there in 2008 or 2009, which is how Jimmy discovered PWAS. Always present to help out in any way, when PWAS needed someone for Vice President, Jimmy stepped in. Soon after Jimmy stepped up to fill PWAS' President position and served for several terms. He also served briefly as Treasurer. He served on the Prince William County Arts Council, representing PWAS, and also served on the nominating committee. In 2019, the Prince William County Arts Council awarded Jimmy the Kathleen Seefeldt Pioneer Award for Lifetime Contribution to the Arts.
Jimmy spent a number of years teaching scuba diving. He painted old scuba tanks with scuba-related themes for Woodbridge Scuba, a local dive store, making them into very beautiful and very heavy lamps. He belonged to the Paisley Clan Society, a genealogical organization, and designed their renewal postcards.
With his wife Judy's (an accomplished award-winning photographer) support, Jimmy was able to fulfill his dreams. Although he is now gone, Jimmy’s art lives on in private collections.
You are welcome to come by the gallery during the regular open times (below) and see the works of James Gallagher.
See also the page on the Prince William Art Society website.
Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The Prince William Art Society is a 50-year old non-profit art group in PWC for the the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
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Author: Judy Gallagher
Photography/Video Credits:
Judy Gallagher
