Showing posts with label PWAS Members. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PWAS Members. Show all posts

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Post 584: A PWAS Meeting to Meet Your Friends

A PWAS Meeting to Meet Your Friends

Monday, June 23, 2025. The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) is an art group in Prince William County, VA that is comprised of many artists with plenty of diversity in art styles, subject matter, art experiences, and art goals. We meet monthly to review what we do, what we have planned, and going into the future. Our meetings often have a guest speaker showing their art and how they do what they do. 

PWAS Meeting Moments

The PWAS Members meet on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Road, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm. A typical meetings with a program begins with:

  1. Guest Speaker Program
  2. Refreshments with a few minutes of conversation with fellow members.
  3. PWAS Board - updates on finances, art shows, to-dos, concerns and Q&A.

This meeting was a new experience for the membership. Designed by PWAS Member Tom Payne and his wife Becky, the members began with grabbing their refreshments and a seat at a table around the room. We were given envelopes with a word printed on it. We were instructed to find the person with the opposite of our word - making that person our "partner". Like Positive found Negative, Yellow found Purple, etc.

PWAS Interviews in progress 

We opened our envelopes and inside was a paper with a list of great interview questions and a pencil and we spent some time LISTENING to our partner as we asked and took notes about their answers. After a period of time, we then switched and were interviewed by our partner who did the same. 

Eric Ndofor, Sandra McClelland Lewin, and Scott Elliot 



Sheri Herrick and Evelyn Chatters 
Bettie Sperty and Staci Blanchard 
Kathy Ross and Rebekah Keener
Staci Blanchard and Bettie Sperty 
Mark Murphy and Richard Tyler 
Kathy Ross and Rebekah Keener 
Katharine Owens and Anna Gatling 
Robert Dew, David Dillon, Sheri Herrick 
Members mingling 
Bettie Sperty, Evelyn Chatters, and Becky Payne 
Sheri Herrick and Evelyn Chatters 

As I get this blog post ready, I can't help but hear (again...see the notes below too) the lyrics "Getting to know you, getting to know all about you. Getting to like you, getting to hope you like me..." (From the movie The King and I - Deborah Kerr, uncredited voice double Marni Nixon - although you could swear that was Julie Andrews voice.)

Finally, each team of partners stood in front of the room and told the group about our partner, what they had learned about them - where they were from - some of us are from very far away! Others are from the same city and share those memories although our time frames put us there at different times. We learned how long they have been doing art with their earliest memories and some have been members of PWAS a LONG TIME!

Robert Dew and Maureen Guillot 
Ana Quispe and Penny Shaw 
Donna Liguria, Maria Briganti, Katharine Owens 
Katharine Owens and Anna Gatling 

 
Bettie Sperty and Staci Blanchard and Mark Murphy looking on

Richard Tyler and Mark Murphy  
Sheri Herrick and Evelyn Chatters 
Eric Ndofor, Sandra McClelland Lewin and not pictured was Scott Elliott - he's to the right of Sandra in the picture below on the edge of the photo
Patty Gulledge, David Dillon, Robert Dew and Maureen Guillot 
Penny Shaw and Ana Quispe 
Maria Briganti and Donna Liguria 

Not only were there so many great laughs, but there were so many very interesting life experiences and backgrounds from everyone. We learned we have so many different life journeys yet we all share a love of art that some began early in life, never having put a pencil down and while some of us began somewhat later in life. 

Our jobs and skills sets were quite varied - from IT job skills and experience, to military, to submarines and Navy, to a butler. To restaurant work with food and beverage, a mean cheesecake maker, to music, to accounting, to a few of the Washington DC acronyms and graphic design. Teachers and some art teachers, to raising families and children, and globe trottting - we all cover a lot of ground. Some of us are retired and some of us are still in the midst of our careers while still putting in our art time. 

We learned about our goals, our future with art and something the art group didn't know about that person. 

People always work better in a team especially when they communicate. Everything is always about that, right? Now where does all this take us next?

As the Prince William Art Society moves into its fifty-fourth year as a community non-profit art group, and with our elections for a new Board coming at the end of this year, knowing more about each other helps us grow as a group. We have goals, desires, wish lists and challenges to make the visual arts in Prince William County bigger and better for all of us whether artist or art lover. The arts culture is something fantastic and extremely valuable for all residents of the county. 

A Few Notes from Our Team

"I really enjoyed getting to know everyone better. Who knew Staci was so dangerous!! I especially want to thank Tom and Becky for putting this together and running the program. I heard numerous comments on how the members enjoyed the meeting and I believe we should do this kind of thing more often." - Sandra McClelland Lewin, PWAS Interim President

 

"I thought the meeting activity was a fantastic success. And what a great night to have several new people show up. Our meetings have slowly but continuously grown more interactive, which is great, but this one really got people talking to each other. It wasn’t just the Board speaking from the front of the room and a few people making comments. We enjoyed a lot of laughs and learned “secrets” about each other. Our members are wonderfully diverse. And now we know that many of them can cook!" - Bettie Sperty, PWAS Secretary

 

"I had fun as well. I really liked learning a little bit about everyone. It was fun hearing the diversity of the group." - Staci Blanchard, PWAS PWC Arts Council Representative

 

"I think the "Getting To Know You” activity provided a unique opportunity for PWAS members (and visitors) to interact and engage in meaningful conversations for the purpose of building stronger relationships and learning more about each other. While Bing Crosby sang “Getting To Know You” in the background, the group broke into pairs.  Each pair asked and answered a few interview questions, and reported out the answers with the whole group. The heartwarming stories, anecdotes, and artistic revelations that were shared about every person in the group were enjoyed by all! PWAS is an inclusive and extremely diverse group of very talented artists. For proof, we needed to look no further than the members meeting on Monday evening.

 

The activity was a tremendous success and those in attendance indicated that they would like to learn even more about their PWAS colleagues." - Tom Payne, PWAS Member-at-Large

 

"Great meeting. Got to meet and get to know Katharine Owens. I believe we both enjoyed our time of laughter together." - Anna Gatling, PWAS Member 

"I was thinking recently that I missed those days of volunteering where you would be at one of our galleries or a show with a fellow PWAS member and between visitors you could just talk. Those days were grand getting to know the other person - great sessions and sharing thoughts on PWAS, art in PWC, art tips, and good golly, so much more. This meeting brought the group closer and let everyone learn something new about each attendee as well as so many things so many of us have in common. A great meeting." - Donna Liguria, Social Media and Artistry Spin Blogmaster

"I enjoyed Monday's PWAS meeting! I learned a lot about our members' backgrounds, families, careers, and unique talents.  There were  many commonalities among us. Kudos  to Tom and  Becky for organizing the activity!" - Evelyn Chatters, PWAS Member 

Were you at the meeting? What did you think? Drop a comment below please.


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: Tom Payne - Thank you Tom and Becky!!!

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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Sunday, June 1, 2025

Post 575: PWAS Member Art Exhibit People's Choice

PWAS Member Art Exhibit People's Choice

Saturday, May 31, 2025. The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) Member Art Exhibit came down today at the ARTfactory. This member only show was at the gallery in Manassas from May 15 until today. Our next show, the Best of the Region Fine Art Show and Sale is about to begin on June 3 and will run until June 15. We counted the People's Choice votes too.

People's Choice Awards

People's Choice awards are a fun way to see what strikes the gallery visitor's fancy and allows them time to really consider the artwork on display. Especially when there are so many wonderful artworks, in so many styles and subjects and mediums. We had a LOT of votes (that's GREAT!). Sheri Herrick and Evelyn Chatters did the honors of counting out the choices, so let's have a look at what the ARTfactory visitors loved the most - although most all of the artwork did receive some votes.

See the Web Gallery here.

Click on artwork to enlarge.

Third Place People's Choice

Mandy Powell's "Gratitude" 30x24x1.5 Mixed Media - Alcohol Ink, mixed media paper, oils

Second Place People's Choice - a Tie

Betty Sperty's "Beedazzeled" 16x20 which Bettie describes the media as Acrylic and Bling. The photo just doesn't do this artwork justice as it doesn't show the wonderful glimmer and shimmer work that went into it! This was a definite one to see in person.

Donna Liguria's "Spring at Merrimac Farm" (the Bluebells) 20x16x105 Acrylic (Painting SOLD!)

First Place People's Choice

"Stormy Seas" by Donna Liguria 40x16x1.5 in Acrylic

Best of the Region Fine Art Show and Sale

A People's Choice Award will also be given at the Best of the Region Show at the ARTfactory June 3- 15, so be sure to get to the ARTfactory and vote your favorite there too! The Art Reception is Saturday, June 7 from 6-8pm. Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and some Honorable Mentions will also be awarded at the Art Reception.

See the online Web Gallery here for this show.

And a big thank you to PWAS Members Mark Clifton, Evelyn Chatters, Sheri Herrick, and Maria Briganti for helping out with the PWAS Show take down. Your help is appreciated!


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: by each artist

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, May 28, 2025

Post 573: PWAS Member Penny Shaw Will Be Missed!

PWAS Member Penny Shaw Will Be Missed!

Monday, May 26, 2025. At the Prince William Art Society's May meeting held at the Tall Oaks Community Center in Woodbridge, VA Monday night, the group gave their goodbyes to a favorite member, Penny Shaw. Penny is moving out of the area and was recognized for her long-time devotion to the PWAS art group, serving as a volunteer and as the Hospitality Chair. Penny will be missed!

PWAS Member Penny Shaw

Penny was presented with a card and gift card and so many members told and can tell the stories of spending time at many art gallery spaces and events volunteering with Penny. And learning about art with Penny.

Monday, May 26, 2025 at the PWAS Meeting

From the Clearbrook Gallery at Tacketts Mill to the art gallery we once populated at Stonebridge, to the monthly meetings at Tall Oaks, we will all remember the times we did 'desk duty' with Penny. Art Talk to Recipe Talk - as Bettie Sperty said. 

I've worked with Penny on many occasions both in person, and on this blog for many art topics. Via phone calls and emails, calls for art, and art receptions, Penny has been a part of PWAS since before I joined in 2021, so her knowledge and friendship over the years became a part of our hearts and of this blog as she has graced our archival history. Penny taught classes and workshops, trained artists for volunteering desk duties and so much more. Have a look at some of the past posts:

Artists Interview with Penny Shaw this blog post is still one of the most often viewed posts from the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog archives.

Mixed Media Workshop with Penny Shaw Nov 2

Mixed Media Class with Penny Shaw

Open Space Arts Training with Penny Shaw

PWAS Meeting Recap from Monday, October 25, 2021

What is Mark Making in Art?

Artists Art Reception Strutting OUR Stuff! 

Onyx Art Group Show with 6 PWAS Members

Onyx Art Group Show Sat, Sept 21, 2024  

And this is where PWAS Members signup for snack duty:

PWAS Hospitality Signup Genius - an invaluable tool for the PWAS Meeting Hospitality Committee that Penny set up. For every monthly meeting, a person or two signs up for the snacks and beverages we all enjoy, thanks to Penny keeping this task organized - and to all that bring the goodies!

Yes, Penny will be missed by all of us in the Prince William Art Society and we all wish her well in this next phase of her life. She said she will come back for visits periodically - and we look forward to that.

Our people are what make an art group great - and a great team to be a part of.

We'll need people to fill in for various committees and roles as folks move on as well as for our Board positions - many that will be voted on in November of this year. I urge our members to consider next steps as PWAS grows and changes, so please see PWAS Board Elections Coming This Fall

Do you have a Penny story to tell? Drop it in 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: 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 (below)! ...Remember, comments are monitored so they will not show up immediately.

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Sunday, May 18, 2025

Post 569: An Art Reception at the ARTfactory

An Art Reception at the ARTfactory

Saturday, May 17, 2025. The Prince William Art Society celebrated an Artist Reception at the ARTfactory for the current art show on display at the gallery. The show is the Prince William Art Society Member Exhibition which began May 15 and will run until May 30. Lots of the artists came and enjoyed the wonderful celebration of art.

Photos from the Reception

The ARTfactory is located at 9419 Battle Street in Manassas, VA right across from the railroad station.

Photographs from around the ARTfactory gallery

 








Donna Liguria next to her painting called "Spring at Merrimac Farm" 

2 From Katharine Owens, featuring "White Chocolate" and "Peppermint Pattie"



2 from Katie Keller Dugan (with Mandy Powell)


To see ALL of the photos from this show, see the PWAS Web Gallery

Here's one from Sandra McClelland Lewin

From PWAS Member Zee Berrios


From PWAS Member Mandy Powell 


From Member Scott Elliot with is "Day at Royal Lake"

Thank you PWAS Members for sending in your photos too! As always, art is better seen in person. The colors, the size of the piece, the full impact of an artwork is not realized via the internet...so go by the ARTfactory and see the show! The Show ends May 30th!


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.

pinterest-site-verification=3ad32cc9cfeae507ba5a382d62fcee17