Showing posts with label Local Art/DC MD VA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Local Art/DC MD VA. Show all posts

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Post 446: PWAS Represented at Art at the Mill Spring 2024

PWAS Represented at Art at the Mill Spring Show 2024

Millwood, Virginia. How about plugging 15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, Virginia into your GPS sometime during April 20 to May 5 and taking that roadtrip to go enjoy some art in a real-live-working mill? Art at the Mill is the destination that several Prince William Art Society members traveled after being accepted to show some of their art.

Spring Art at the Mill

There are several PWAS artists that made that roadtrip over the March 22-24, 2024 Drop off dates. Typically, Art at the Mill sends out a Call for Art twice a year asking for artists to submit up to 5 artworks in various mediums. Click Submit. Then the waiting begins, to see if your art was selected to show. Insert the Jeopardy music here.

Finally, the emails arrive - the "Unfortunately" in red and/or the "Congratulations!" in green. Well, we all get the Unfortunately's on occasion. But do consider this:

Art at the Mill will jury in about 1000 art pieces and about 300 artists for each show.

That is a LOT of art. I need to ask at some point how many entries they usually get. Can you imagine jurying and selecting 1000 artworks?

The Show: Art at the Mill Spring Show Saturday, April 20 through Sunday, May 5, 2024

The Artist Reception is Sunday, April 28 from 2-5pm 

As far as the Prince William Art Society artists showing at Art at the Mill, here are the ones I know about. Congratulate these artists!

Bettie Sperty

This was Bettie's first time showing at Art at the Mill.

Two Bees or Not To Be

A Mother's Love
 
Who Me?

Sandra McClelland Lewin

Sandra has shown at the Mill several times.

Iris Moon
Jungle Orchid

Donna Liguria

This is the third time I have entered Art at the Mill; twice in 2023 for both the Spring and Fall Shows and again for the Spring 2024 show. When I first joined PWAS in 2021 and started taking my art business more seriously, Art at the Mill was often talked about within the group in very awed tones. After seeing it, I understand that reverence now. 

It is an incredible art show in Virginia, in an awesome location, is fantastically attended and very well managed. As Bettie said recently, the quality of the artwork is so high, it is a distinct honor to even have something accepted into this show. She mentioned she saw at least 10 pieces she wanted to take home with her. I agree with her!

Here are my two entries for the Spring Art at the Mill Show 2024:

Gunston Hall Virginia Historical Home Series

Monticello Virginia Historical Home Series

Art Drop Off

Here are some pictures from Saturday, March 23, 2024. After the art is selected, the artists sign up for the day and time to drop off. They stagger the artists throughout the day which definitely helps with the traffic flow and parking lots outside. 
 
When you drop off art, the blue T-shirted volunteers even may come out to your car and ask if you need help with your artwork bringing it in! 
 
Enter the Mill and if you hear the thrashing and "machinery" sounds, a grain of some sort is being ground. Looks like cornmeal was on the menu today. You can buy various flours while you are there. We head upstairs.

The first thing the artist does is go to check in. Several volunteers check your name in and hand you the pre-made art labels for your artwork. Going to the left, you unwrap your transportation wrappings and the labels are attached. Your artwork may automatically go up in a hanging position temporarily or go to the top floor holding area. Nothing will be in the same position by the time the show actually starts but ALL of it will be available for sale on the website link that will go-live just prior to the show start. And they sell art, yes, a lot of art is sold. (Hopefully we'll be bringing less art home at the end of the show too!) Those blue T-shirts are constantly replacing art as space is made.
 
As soon as a purchase is made, it comes off the walls and is replaced. The buyer can take their new artwork home with them right then and there. Their Call for Art/Art at the Mill website lets you know the status of the art at all times. Even at check-in, an email is sent letting you know it was checked in. (I'll share that Spring AATM art link once it goes live.)

Yes, the art can be sold if someone sees art they love online too. I believe they call in and make the sale over the phone but artwork is NOT shipped - it must be picked up. See any art you like?



Here is one of Sandra's and one of mine that are temporarily destined for the upper most floor, for now.
The volunteers steadily fill in the walls...
I LOVED the bunnies!

We spotted a couple of Bettie's paintings, can you? As always on this blog, you can click on a photo to enlarge it. Have a look.


Yeah, I like that one too.
And that one.

Impressed yet?


And they still have another day for drop off on Sunday after these photos. This was just Friday to Saturday as Sandra and I were scheduled for a 1-1:30 drop off.

Do go downstairs at the Mill too while you are there. Lots of artifacts and antiques and get a close up look at the Mill in operation.
 
I am starting to recognize and getting to know more and more artists, past and present PWAS members, gallery artists, etc. and their art at the various art shows all over the Northern Virginia area. 
 
March 22-24, 2024 is also the Fredericksburg Fine Arts Show at the Dorothy Hart Community Center at 408 Canal Street, Fredericksburg and we recognized an art piece by Maria Briganti, a PWAS member there. Sandra and I also have art in this Fredericksburg show which is also nicely done as well.
 
So is a roadtrip in your future?

More Art at the Mill Blog Posts


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: 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

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!

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Post 443: The Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm

The Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm

Prince William Art Society will be participating in The Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm, sponsored by the Prince William Conservation Alliance and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Check out the website and take note of the activities and tours scheduled throughout the day at this outstanding natural area.

Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm WMA

PWAS at the Bluebell Festival

PWAS will have an information tableset up at the Bluebell Festival where PWAS member's small artworks will be displayed and sold. In addition, the PWAS Education Committee is inviting members interested in Plein Air painting to bring your painting and drawing materials and participate in an informal sharing workshop held among the bluebell flowers.  

NOTE: Be sure to wear appropriate footwear! Pathways may be muddy and slippery. Hiking shoes/boots would be best. Tennis shoes, are not good. 

Below is information and a contact person for the opportunities at the Bluebell Festival.

 

Call for Art

  

Hello all PWAS artistsKeep the sizes small. If you have tiny little canvases with tiny nature paintings on them, they would be fantastic, but please supply some tiny easels to display them. We want people to be able to see them. 

Come be inspired! We, as PWAS and the PWAS Education Committee, along with The Conservation Alliance of Prince William County, The Virginia Department of Wildlife Services, and support from the Marine Base Quantico are so excited to offer you the opportunity to display your lovely artwork depicting nature at a pop-up event at the Bluebell Festival in Nokesville, VA. 

The Three tenets of The Conservation Alliance of PWC 

People who care make a difference 

We are stronger together 

Acting locally is how we change the world. 

The Bluebell Festival is on April 7th and is held at the Merrimac Farm which is part of a Wildlife Management Area. I understand this event will most likely be attended by over 1,000 people! 

The address for Merrimac Farm is 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville, VA. GPS wont get you all the way there. You must follow the attached directions. I assure you, it is worth the drive! The festival begins at 10:00 am, but you must arrive at 9:00am. PWAS will receive its 20% commission, so please price your work accordingly. Sales will be conducted with Square cash box. 

Remember to bring boots, rubber shoes, or hiking footwear. Bluebells love the flood plains, and the paths are out of the way of flooding but can be a little mucky depending on recent weather. 

 

PROSPECTUS: 

Keep the sizes small. If you have tiny little canvases with tiny nature paintings on them, they would be fantastic, but please supply some tiny easels to display them. We want people to be able to see them. 

 

Subjects 

Art subjects that would be especially appreciated are: 

 

  • Birds - all kinds, cardinals, bluebirds, robins, eagles, hawks, etc 

  • Fish - all kinds, koi, trout, flounder, etc... 

  • Flowers - all kinds, but especially bluebells, of course

  • Trees - all kinds, especially woodsy subjects!

  • Water scenes - especially rivers, creeks, ponds, and canoeing, kayaking, etc... 

  • Natures creatures - all kinds, deer, coyotes, bear, frogs, bees, butterflies, grasshoppers, chipmunks, etc...

  • Pours - bring some inspiring pours, especially if they transcend the viewer like a bounty of blooms or a sunset!

  • Photography, oil paintings, acrylic paintings, pastels, chalk drawings, pen & ink, and digital art are all appreciated. 

 

Sizes 

Please adhere to the following guidelines: 

 

  1. No more than 3 small art pieces or canvases for each person. 

Examples: 3" x 4", 5" x 7", 8" x 10".If you have some 3" x 4" pieces, then you couldsubmit 4 of those, the smaller the better. 

  1. No more than ONE large piece, such as, 11" x 14" framed. 

If you only have an 11x 14size piece of art, then you can only submit one piece of art. 

  1. Please print out two sets of tags (one for the front, one for the back), your inventory list signed, and hold harmless agreement signed (see attachments). All must be handed on and signed the day you deliver your art to the event. 

  1. Business cards, I want people to know all about YOU as the artist! 

  1. If youd like to add a certificate of authenticity, please do! 

  1. Please follow the guidelinesfor art that is to be properly prepared for all PWAS pop ups. More on that 

  1. Proper wiring is required. No little sawtooth hangers. Typical standards apply for preparing your art; make sure it hangs securely. 

  1. Artwork on canvas is to be on gallery-wrappedcanvases and to have painted sides, or edges. 

  1. This Show is un-juried, but art should be appropriate (i.e., family friendly). 

Please come help with the display! Lets arrange everyones artwork for the advantage of all.  

For additional information on what to expect at pop up shows read Donna Ligurias PWAS Artistry Spin Blog article: 

https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/p/show-lessons.html 

Merrimac Farm is gorgeous. When you bring your art to the festival enjoy the day! Spend time walking around and talking to the other vendors! 

Tom Payne and I walked the Bluebell Trailto see for ourselves where these famous bluebells of Virginia have been allowed to spread throughout the woods naturally. What a spectacle! Its not a Bluebell Festival, its a Bluebell Adventure! You owe it to yourselves to experience this natural phenomenon at least once in your lifetime! 


 

Come be inspired.  

The Three tenets of The Conservation Alliance of PWC 

  1. People who care make a difference 

  1. We are stronger together 

  1. Acting locally is how we change the world. 

Contact: Elizabeth Stathis,  elzbthstths@gmail.com. 703-595-8747. 

If you are unable to make it to the festival on the 7th, but would love to be a part of it, I will gladly help you out and take your art with me to display with the others. Just drop it off at my house before the 7th. Text or call me and we will make arrangements. I live 34 minutes from the festival. 

 Plein Air Painting Workshop  

(a.k.a. Plein Air Posse) - meet at 9:00 am 

 

The PWAS Education Committee, invites you to participate in its first Plein Air meet-up. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced Plein Air artist, you are welcome to come, learn, and join in the fun. In doing so, you will be one of the founding members of what will be known as the "Plein Air Posse! This will be a very informal workshop. We will be learning from and sharing with each other at this first Plein Air gathering. See the poster and instructions with directions to Merrimac Farm More detailed information will be sent to those who are interested. To sign-up, simply email Tom Payne, if you havent done so already. 

 

Contact: Tom Paynepaynereliefartworx@yahoo.com. 

 





Authors: Elizabeth Stathis (PWAS President) and Tom Payne (PWAS Member At Large)

Photography/Video Credits:
Tom Payne

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!