Post 426: PWAS Meeting Recap, Mon Jan 22, 2024

PWAS Meeting Recap, Mon Jan 22, 2024

The Prince William Art Society meets on the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30pm at the Tall Oaks Community Center on the corner of Hedges Run and Cotton Mill in Woodbridge, VA. This past Monday, the art group met and covered a lot of the new plans and future of PWAS for its members.

New Board, New Art Shows, New Committees

Information was provided for a lot of the new art show events and other avenues for members to show their art. The Board is in search of people to fill positions and  committees that are very important to help the entire group including a full time Treasurer, an Events Committee, Planning, Grants, Public Relations and Marketing Committees.

A signup sheet for committees was provided and we hope to have something on the PWAS website soon, as well.

As PWAS is basically a group of 'traveling artists' at the moment, the Board is actively in search of not only a new gallery/art space, but member encouragement to help with this much needed "PWAS HOME" for the membership.

Joining and rejoining the Prince William Art Society is now available to easily do online at https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership (the preferred method as it is a safe and very convenient process).

 

The new PWAS Board takes to the table at our first meeting of 2024. Left to Right is Tom Payne (Member at Large), Connie Huebner and Bettie Sperty (Co-Secretaries), Elizabeth Stathis (President) and Sandra McClelland Lewin (VP). Mark Murphy has graciously volunteered to be the interim Treasurer until another PWAS Member steps forward

 

A good number of PWAS members braved the cold temperatures and a few more arrived later but we had about 33 members in attendance with some new members too!

 To contact the board or a specific committee member, see the Board Members and Contacts page on the PWAS website.

 

Photo by Larry Burch

Guest Speaker Janet Stoeke

Typically, our PWAS meetings begin with the invited guest speaker, followed by snacks (meet and greets) and then the business portion of the Prince William Art Society. This month's guest was Janet Stoeke who gave a very interesting program about how she creates the art she does. 

Many questions were asked by the artist members that found her process fascinating, including her use of wax paper as a sort of pallet that she uses to begin a painting, pressing the brush handle down the paper and down her canvas to begin her trees.

Janet has also written 26 books. 

 

Photo by Larry Burch

 

Photo by Larry Burch 

See the post about Janet Stoeke to learn more.

Read more about Art NonProfit Committees here

Have you enjoyed being a member of PWAS? Get involved - rejoin and signup for a committee today!

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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: Larry Burch and Donna Liguria

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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!

Post 424: PWAS Board in Motion

PWAS Board in Motion

I've been able to attend a couple of the new PWAS Board Meetings recently and have been THRILLED with the ideas, new art shows, and progress already in motion. There are already a TON of plans and some fantastic things in the works to benefit all of the PWAS members.

Great Plans, Great Goals for the Future of PWAS

Committees and getting the PWAS membership more involved is a high priority for the Board. A recent email was sent out to the members about committee openings and a signup sheet will be available at the next meeting on Monday, January 22, 2024 at 7:30pm at the Tall Oaks Community Center. A couple of people have already asked for a few of the spots too! 

Another high priority item is the search for a PWAS "home base" - where we have our own art space. Short term and/or long term, a space to show our art, have classes, have meetings and receptions - people are needed to make this goal happen.

I don't want to list everything here but one of the most awesomest of ideas from our new Board was to offer a discount to PWAS members for art supplies from places like Crazy Jerry's, Jerry's Artarama, Dick Blick and Fairfax County's Plaza Art. These art store plans are in progress with the necessary documentation to offer our PWAS members store discounts. 

I have no idea how much the discounts will be as yet, but if you are buying from any of these now...doesn't this sound great?! 

Make more art and Show more art!

Events for PWAS Members

There are a LOT of events that PWAS can be involved in, and some are right in our backyards. Some will be juried while others are open to a first-come, first-served signup sheet. There are even some where a fee may be asked for to help cover the costs incurred to be a part of that particular event. Also, because of limited space, there could be a cap on how many can enter or how many pieces of art can be entered. A few of these are TBD - The actual dates are unknown, unconfirmed as yet, or they could be "Pending" more information. 

We hope to have an Event Committee in place soon where various members can help be the team leaders that help direct each of the activities: from set up, volunteering needs, break down. Typically each artist is responsible for their own art hanging at a popup nonjuried show, but each art opportunity will have its own variations, requirements and needs.

 

Image by Sandra McClelland Lewin

PWAS Upcoming Events, Shows, Calls, and More. Event Coordinator(s) needed per event

• Feb - Apr: GoWell Stonebridge (PWAS Members) Juried show
• Feb: GoWell Warrenton
• Mar: GoWell Stonebridge
• Apr 1: Call for Art GoWell Stonebridge, Display May - Jul 2024 Juried show (pending)
• Apr 6: Spring Artist Inventory Sale Manassas (Raindate Apr 7) Non-juried show, under the Pavilion
  
• Apr: The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm (dates TBD)
• May 11: PWAS Spring Tall Oaks Show, Non-juried show
• Jun: Stonebridge Taste of Woodbridge (TBD) Non-juried show
• Jun 1-2: Occoquan Riverfest & Craft Show
• Sep: Arts Alive - PWAS Art Show (TBD) Non-juried show
• Sep: Stonebridge Chilifest (TBD) Non-juried show
• Sep 28-29: Occoquan Arts & Craft Show
• Oct 5: PWAS Fall Tall Oaks Art Show (TBD) Non-juried show
• Oct: Fall Artist Inventory Sale Manassas (TBD) Non-juried show, under the Pavilion
• Oct: Stonebridge Petoberfest (TBD) Non-juried show
• Nov 1-Dec31: Montclair Library PWAS Art Show (TBD) Juried show
  
• Dec: PWAS Member Christmas Celebration (TBD)
• 2025: ArtFactory PWAS Art Show, Manassas (TBD) Juried show
• 2025: Crisis Center (proposed)
• 2025: Manassas City Hall (proposed)
• 2025: Buchannan Gallery at Hylton Center (proposed)
• 2025: Bull Run Library (proposed)
  

In many ways, this is the beauty of being part of a thriving art group as opposed to being that SOLO Artist out there having to do absolutely EVERYTHING on your own, by yourself. The PWAS art group strives to have everyone help, pitch in, share the work and know-how when things need to be done.

And you know what? This list is not complete. There are other libraries, wineries, and opportunities - small and large, that this Board has under development. (If you have pom-poms, start waving and cheering the new Board now!!)

Facebook PWAS Chat Group

PWAS members have their own private group for chatting! Current PWAS members can ask and answer questions, post pictures, find information, get updates and SO MUCH MORE! It is a private group and I hope you will either request to join or let me know your Facebook ID so I can invite you. The group is Prince William Art Society (PWAS) Chat. You must be a current member to chat there - and probably have a Facebook account.

Promote PWAS as a NonProfit

Another great idea was to get PWAS listed on the non-profit websites for MORE visibility. To any PWAS member: Leave a review for the Prince William Art Society here and throw all 5 stars there like a Ninja Warrior!

I've seen a couple of people do it already and the link is available on this post, and in the right-side navigation on this blog. 

 

If you go to the page, you should be able to "like" the review posts too, so click those thumbs up!

Member of PWAS?

This is new as well if you haven't already joined or rejoined PWAS. You can renew or join PWAS online at https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/ or more precisely at the PWAS Membership page https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership. This is now so very convenient!

 

Doors open and doors close often in each of our lives. And very often, each door can be seen as a stepping stone to even bigger and better things. I think the Prince William Art Society's future is looking VERY good!

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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.

 

Who's Ready for a New PWAS graphic by Sandra McClelland Lewin

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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!

Post 423: PWAS January 22, 2024 Meeting with Janet Stoeke

PWAS January 22, 2024 Meeting with Janet Stoeke

The Prince William Art Society's monthly meeting is coming soon - Monday, January 22, 2024 at 7:30pm at the Tall Oaks Community Center and will feature guest artist, Janet Stoeke.

Tall Oaks Community Center is found at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr. Woodbridge, Virginia. If you are a PWAS Member, check your email reminder for the Zoom Meeting link if you can't make it in person.

PWAS Program Guest Artist Janet Stoeke

The Prince William Art Society will start the new year with a meeting at the Tall Oaks Community Center, located at 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22192. All programs and meetings are free and open to the public, who are invited to attend. The meeting will begin at 7:30 pm with a program featuring Fine Artist Janet Stoeke, who writes:

"I paint to capture something I can’t quite put into words: a feeling of satisfaction and solace when I spend time outside walking in the woods. The wonderful and unexpected gift of seeing a fox in the evening or hearing an unusual birdcall will make me catch my breath. There is no better surprise. For a time, I painted lush abstracts with realistic moths, hummingbirds, or snails hidden in them to mimic that feeling of delightfully unplanned encounters. More recently, however, I’ve found that it is really the light that has had the most profound impact on me, so I paint that instead. Fragmenting sunlight as it bleeds through the undergrowth and treetops is my latest obsession. The colors change depending on the month and the time of day, so I enter my studio after a walk with my head full of new color ideas and combinations and get to work. I don’t paint from photographs, but try to intuitively develop my tree shapes and the negative areas that will allow me to fill the canvas with color.

I have an MFA from GWU, but most of my work reflects the profound influence of a determined and very talented mother. In my talk, I will share my experiences as a painter, writer, illustrator, hiker, naturalist, and daughter. Hope you will come."

 

New PWAS Board Begins Their Term

The Prince William Art Society will welcome their new Board Members for their 2024-2025 term and looks forward to their leadership and game plan for the upcoming year.

See the "Meet the New Board" post here: https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2024/01/post-422-new-year-new-pwas-board.html

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Author: Emily Hawes and Janet Stoeke

 

Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, 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.

 

Artwork by Janet Stoeke

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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!

Post 422: A New Year, A New PWAS Board

A New Year, A New PWAS Board

After all the candy canes, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, Christmas ham, Christmas turkey and the Roast Beast; after the New Year's Champagne and black eyed peas and football, are you all ready to start painting again? I know I am. And to start thinking about a list of art shows to get involved in. But first things first. Let's introduce you all to the new Prince William Art Society Board Members - just recently voted in. See all of the important notes at the end too.

The Prince William Art Society

Also known as PWAS (pronounced "P-whaaz") is a Prince William County art group that began in 1971. Doing the math, that means PWAS will celebrate its 53rd birthday this year! We are a 501(c)3 non-profit art group and I'll send you over to the PWAS website to find out the details on what we do and I'll also recommend this blog post on our history. Now, let's meet our new Board, right here, right now...

PWAS President: Elizabeth Stathis

Elizabeth Stathis is a native of Philadelphia, PA and became interested in art at a young age watching her mother sketch. After jumping from Art I to Art Major in High school, completely skipping Art II, Elizabeth then began taking classes at Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia before she even graduated high school. Her work was selected to be exhibited in the MCA boardroom as she was handed her acceptance letter. She graduated with a BFA from Moore and moved to Vermont where she continued to study art at local colleges. 

She became a co-owner of a Monument business where she designed and etched personalized monuments for 27 years. She also worked freelance for individuals and businesses alike, while building her own art studio. Once completed she produced art for galleries up and down the east coast and taught art to private students as well as students in private school settings. 

In 2004 she moved to be near DC and worked in art galleries located in McLean and Fairfax, VA and one in DC. Elizabeth’s continued juried art entries awarded her several awards for First place, Second place and Honorable mention in several east coast galleries.

PWAS Vice President: Sandra McClelland Lewin

Sandra Lewin began painting after retiring as a graphics artist with the government. Her work has been exhibited and won awards in several juried shows throughout the Northern Virginia area and in online juried shows. She has served as President of the Prince William Art Society and is currently Vice President of the organization. She has been a member of the Prince William Arts Council and Arches Gallery at the Lorton Workhouse Arts.

PWAS Secretary (2!):

The PWAS Nominating Committee developed the idea of splitting the volunteer positions to make life easier for those involved. We are very glad to announce that we now have 2 persons that will share the Secretarial duties.

Bettie Sperty

Bettie Sperty is a local artist who enjoys working with a variety of mediums. Her painting style runs from fun, colorful and whimsical to the fine detail of Tromp L’oeil (photo realism). Bettie’s hand built pottery pieces are just as colorful and creative and showcase her attention to detail.

Bettie creates her pieces for her own enjoyment and is always happy if someone else enjoys them, as well. In her own words she says, “I don’t try to make a statement with my artwork.  My goal is simply to bring a smile to a face, touch a heart or make your eyes happy with the art I create.”

Connie Huebner 

I started taking pictures when my dad bought a Minolta X-700 for my grandparents’ 50 th wedding anniversary party and he realized he didn’t know how to use it. Dad handed the camera to me and said, “make this work.” 

I ended up keeping his camera and after only one photography class, I was hooked. I found ways to spend free time in the darkroom and even taught photography at summer camp. Unfortunately, the cost of the film and processing was kind of burdensome and I spent less and less time with my photographs and more time focusing on my career. 

Fast forward a number of years (no I’m not saying how many) and a couple of pretty impactful life events, I found myself missing “me”. Fortunately, a very special someone suggested I start taking pictures again and bought me a new digital camera. 

I am now taking pictures all the time and it brings me so much joy. I take my camera on neighborhood walks and exotic vacations. I challenge myself with “assignments” and continuously strive to improve my art.

PWAS Treasurer

Again, we would LOVE to split the Treasurer position into 2 PWAS Members. Can you be one of them?

The Interim Treasurer is Elizabeth Stathis until a PWAS member steps into the spot.

PWAS Member at Large: Tom Payne

Tom is a retired Maryland Fine Arts and Gifted Education program administrator (Howard County), now living in NOVA and pursuing his love for creating art and music.  Tom is the owner of his small business, Payne Relief Artworx.  He is an avid nature and wildlife photographer who enjoys singing, songwriting, painting, playing guitar, and boating. He currently spends his days transforming his photographs into works of art, creating digital paintings, and writing songs. 

His photographs, photoartistry, and digital paintings "evoke emotion, stimulate thought, and uplift the human spirit". Tom’s work has been exhibited at the Maryland Federation of Art, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, the Annapolis Maritime Museum, the Himmelfarb Gallery at Maryland University of Integrated Health, and the Open Space Arts Gallery in Woodbridge, Va.

Representative to the Arts Council: Helen Burroughs

Helen Joyce Burroughs has a versatile palette and enjoys painting in different mediums—oil pastel flowers which provide a sense of joy; oil landscapes for peaceful meditation; and the excitement and challenge of creating multi media acrylics.

Helen is a native of California, and a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles. Her world travels, in her career in international trade, have influenced her use of vivid colors. She lives in Northern Virginia. Her work has been shown in Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., Indiana and California.

At this time, Board members serve for 2 years. Congratulations to the New PWAS Board and we look forward to a GREAT 2024-25!

PWAS Stuff to Know Notes

• Next PWAS Meeting Date: January 22, 2024 at 7:30pm at the Tall Oaks Community Building on Cotton Mill Road. Open to the public. The guest program will be given by Janet Stoeke.
  
• PWAS Membership: Annual membership fee can now be paid online on the PWAS website. I did it! It's easy!  Go to the "Join PWAS" button on https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
• Have something you want the Board to know? Have an idea to share? Tom Payne is who you contact with your suggestions! He is your advocate, your go-to, your "who ya gonna call?" Drop him a note at memberatlarge@princewilliamartsociety.com
• PWAS Committees: Nothing in an art group happens without YOUR participation and help. Start thinking about where YOU can BE involved and/or talk to Tom Payne. I tell you, I have learned so much about the art world because I jumped onboard!
  
• PWAS Events: The Board is already working on new events and ideas for the PWAS Membership! I hope to have some information to relay to you soon. I know of at least TWO new events for 2024...maybe even 4 or 5! I've certainly heard some awesome ideas! And you know...getting involved in committees and positions gets YOU in the KNOW...
• Local Art Shows page is updated, see https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/p/call-for-artists-nova.html
• PWAS Members Chatting in a Facebook Group? Let me know your Facebook profile - we have a new place to chat! (Private and for PWAS members only of course!)
  

Further reading on the PWAS Board Duties and the PWAS Committees. As we go through the year, we hope to update these docs as needed too.

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Author: Donna Liguria
PWAS Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA since 2021, 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.

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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!