Arts Alive Recap 1 from Sunday, September 12, 2021
Many PWAS members took part in the annual Arts Alive event where all kinds of art was on display - mini ballerinas in tutus, live performances, demonstrations, music and visual arts. And of course, complimented by the food vendors outside.
Getting Ready to Leave for the Art Show
A beautiful September day dawns with PWAS members loading their vehicles with their artwork, art prints, art inventory lists, print stands, gridwall panels, and water bottles in hand. Their GPS is set to go to Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Cir, Manassas, VA 20110; they all take off with the arrival time desired of 10:30 am.
Pulling up to the curb, each artist unloads the vehicle and hikes into the building - our intention is an absolute fixation of set up and be ready for the high noon "release the kraken" (the opening of the doors).
The temperatures will be scratching at 90 degrees, so we go in with the hope of a lighter load when the doors close at 4. We also look forward to chatting with the people that come by to see all of the arts on display, the live performances, exhibits, live demonstrations, writers reading, music and answering the questions of art fans of all ages.
Setting Up for the Art Show
The setup of the gridwall panels begins. The A bar fits into the B bar with the footer C into the bottom to the B bar. Sort of like Ikea directions. (I'm kidding.) What's the best layout to the space we are allotted? All this must be configured and followed by "hang 'em HIGH!"
Each artist sets up and hangs his or her art area with whatever they have brought with them. Then rearranges their display several times until they are happy with how it looks. The intention is to hang an eye catching piece in a dominant spot to entice the viewer to stop and look. Similarly themed artwork grouped might be taken into consideration as well.
Of course, as the time gets closer to noon, "JUST GET THEM HUNG!" is alerted. And tagged. Maybe rearrange them again. Looking around, reminder to self: "I think I brought a lot of art. Maybe step back a pace or two the next show."
We are all familiar with the requirements of hanging, and try to make sure we follow those guidelines...especially to not hang off the panel!
Anyway, here are a few of the pictures, I'll do another post tomorrow or so with more.
PWAS Members - got pictures? Send them to me too!
The Next Events for PWAS
PWAs Members, if you are applying for the "Best of the Region" - a juried show, you MUST apply and pay the fee by Wednesday, September 22, 2021. Check your emails!
The PWAS members will do it all over again on the weekend of September 24 (seup), September 25 and 26, 2021 for the Occoquan Arts and Crafts Show in Occoquan, Virginia.
This event will be immediately followed by the Saturday, October 2, 2021 Tall Oaks Community Center in Lake Ridge, Virginia (behind the Giant on Old Bridge).
September 14, 2021 update: Correction to Best of Region to
Entries are due Sept 22, 2021 for this juried event, not September 15th. DL.
Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at Tackett's Mill in Lake Ridge, VA on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 – it’s free to see the artwork! Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.
Photography/Video Credits:
Photographs provided by Donna Liguria