January is (Re)Join PWAS Time
Many an artist might say "I wish I knew then what I know now", and we often say that right? Almost any art group near you should have opportunities for an adult artist to join, get involved, and stretch their artistic reach right where they live. The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) offers local artists ways to get involved and get their art "out there" as well as tons of benefits for growth, learning, and sharing.
What is PWAS?
The Prince William Art Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of local artists, living in and around Prince William County, Virginia. The art group's mission is to promote the understanding, creation and exhibition of the visual fine arts - mainly in PWC, but we might be found anywhere in the area as well.
PWAS began in 1971, making it the oldest art group in Prince William County. A scholarship program was begun in 2008, called the Jewell Pratt Burns Art Scholarship. In 2024, PWAS began offering free and various art workshops around Prince William County.
Learn more about PWAS on our website: https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/ and read this blog post too https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2025/01/post-525-email-from-pwas-interim.html
Why Join PWAS?
Often it is easier to do and learn all of the things an artist needs to do to be seen by being in an art group than as a single artist trying to do everything all by yourself, even though we all wish we could simply just make our art. Being in an art group, the artist would certainly have access to many more opportunities! See Artist NTK
The Prince William Art Society is a very diverse collection of artists from every background and skill level - beginner artists to those that have been creating art for many years. We have art teachers, graphic artists, digital artists, exceptional oil, acrylic, and watercolor painters and a wide range of mixed media artists. PWAS has artists that are self-taught to members that have college art degrees. A common desire of the PWAS members is to share their knowledge as well as learn from each other, including exploring new creative avenues.
Many members join with the desire to show their art but don't know how or where to begin, so join PWAS for:
For the Art of it!
- Show off your art - at shows, galleries, festivals, wineries, libraries, and more.
- Some shows may be juried, while many shows are open.
- Plein Air Painting - a group within PWAS that gets outdoors and paints!
- Learn more - about anything and everything art, including the presentation of art.
- Networking opportunities - make connections with artists and art lovers.
- Sharing of local and nearby, potential art opportunities to apply to.
- Expand your artistic reach, outlook, and potential.
- Learn how to get involved - in helping other artists, in giving back, and more.
For the Activities!
- Monthly Meetings
- Presentations
- Workshops and Classes
- Go on a Field Trip
- Teaching Opportunities
For the Fun of it!
- Socialize with fellow artists!
- That field trip last year to the National Gallery of Art was fantastic!
- Develop art friendships that will cheer you on!
- Our annual PWAS Christmas party!
- How about a future PWAS picnic?
For the Future of Art in PWC!
- There are many things on the radar for the Prince William Art Society including new art shows and locations to show our art. There are some GREAT things on the horizon and YOU could be a part of it!
- Get involved in the search for our new gallery space. We want our own gallery space - we'll go short term if we need to but long term IS the goal.
- Get involved - especially if YOU have skills to share with fellow artists or a skill needed to help promote PWAS!
- At the end of 2025 a new Board will be voted on - we need YOU and your skills!
- Help us improve the art scene in Prince William County.
Meetings are the fourth Monday of the month at 7:30pm and typically include a program with a guest speaker - to learn something new, or may be a show and tell session or even a special surprise! Our meetings are held here:
Benefits to Joining PWAS (or any art group)
Here are some of the benefits to joining an art group:- Make a name for yourself close to home.
- Learn about upcoming art shows and exhibits, and Calls for Art.
- Local businesses often contact art groups for help with their artistic needs!
- Be inspired, rejuvenated, and build camaraderie with other artists and potentially feedback for a fresh perspective.
- Take part in art competitions.
- Explore new media of interest to you.
- Opportunity to be a member with your own Art Showcase for a small annual fee.
- Potential to be in the PWAS Art Store (certain art shows sell art via our store).
- Potential workshops and/or class participation (often FREE!)
- Potential ability to display artwork in the art group's studio, gallery, shows, etc.
- Attend various art exhibitions, museums - art "field trips"
- Potential "Featured Artist" or "Artist of the Month" or voted "Best in Show"
- On this blog, on the website, on our social media - get YOUR news out there!
- Networking with people in your local art world.
- Learn the business of art - its a broad subject with all kinds of twists and turns.
- Read Never Have I Ever
- Be a part of the PWAS Chat Group on Facebook for members only.
- Show off, share, and teach what you know and do.
- Possibility to enter various art events as a group member with less expense than being a solo artist.
- Find collaborators on art projects.
- The art group's promotion and social media, advertising and marketing for art events means exposure for you as well.
- Join a committee or be the champion of a PWAS task that helps the entire group to achieve our goals and purposes and give you the opportunity to have a voice in what we do! Champions help get things DONE for all of us!
- And much more.
See the blog post Joining Your Local Art Group(s), Benefits to Volunteering - we all learn more by actually just doing it, don't we?!
How to Join PWAS
Of note: Members need to be 18 or older.
There are two ways to join the Prince William Art Society:Get Excited!
We welcome you to join our art group today and be a part of our growth and mission. Exciting times are coming in Prince William County and you can be in a front row seat becoming a member of the Prince William Art Society today.
See you at an art meeting!
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
