Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Post 365: What's Going on at OSA

What's Going on at OSA

The most important persons that need to know what's going on at their local gallery are the artists themselves. It takes time to do artwork. From conception and planning, to the actual work, then adding in the finishing issues like drying time and varnishing could involve months or a year depending on the medium used. Therefore, it helps for artists to know what art shows they might want to apply for, well in advance.

List of 2023-2025 Art Shows at Open Space Arts

Please note that the Open Space Arts gallery is huge opportunity for all Prince William County artists 18 or older and the only other requirement is that the artist be either a resident of PWC OR be a member of an art group in PWC. All artwork is juried. Calls for Art (C4A) are sent out so you need to be on our email list, see https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/call-for-art, or as a member of an art group, you should be notified via their leadership.

From the desk of Penny Shaw, Open Space Arts Committee

This OSA art show calendar with dates, descriptions of shows, and topic names can be used as a reference for the remainder of art exhibits at OSA from July 2023 – January 2025. Please be advised that most dates are firm, but topics and titles may change.

SHOW DATES AND RECEPTION DATES, TITLE AND SUMMARIES, CONTACT

JULY 2023

JULY 26 -AUGUST 20, 2023 Reception – July 28, 2023 FOR THOSE WHO SERVE AND FIRST RESPONDERS - focused on artwork created by veterans, active duty, and retired military and first responders and their families. Call for Art June 26 – July 11, 202 Adjudication– July 14, 202 Notification – July 16, 2023 Hanging – July 23-25, 2023 STEERING COMMITTEE

AUGUST 2023

AUGUST 23=SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 Reception – August 25, 2023 STRUT YOUR STUFF - featuring what artists feel is their best work. Call for Art – July 26 – August 5, 2023 Adjudication August 9, 2023 Notification – August 13, 2023 Hanging –August 20 -21, 2023 STEERING COMMITTEE

SEPTEMBER 2023

SEPTEMBER 20 -OCTOBER 15, 2023 Reception – September 23, 2023 HONOR YOUR HERITAGE - Identify their heritage with submissions that recognize how interrelated we are. Recognition will be given to artwork focused on the Hispanic culture. Call to Art – August 25 – September 2, 2023 Adjudication – September 6, 2023 Notification – September 10, 2023 Hanging – September 17-18, 2023 STEERING COMMITTEE

OCTOBER 2023

OCTOBER 18- NOVEMBER 12, 2023 THREADS - focused on how fiber is used to create 2-D or 3-D art using fibers. A showcase of fiber artist showing work in multiple categories of quilting, knotting, weaving, clothing designs, sculptured fibers, embroidery, knitting, and crochet works of art from PWC. STEERING COMMITTEE Reception – October 20, 2023 Call to Art – September 18 – September 27, 2023 Adjudication – October 1, 2023 Notification – October 5, 2023 Hanging – October 15-16, 2023

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023

NOVEMBER 15-DECEMBER 31, 2023 Reception – November 17, 2023 OUR CELEBRATIONS - focuses on how we celebrate cultural occasions. Call for Art – October 19 – October 28, 2023 Adjudication – November 1, 2023 Notification – November 4, 2023 Hanging – November 12-14, 2023 STEERING COMMITTEE

JANUARY 2024

JANUARY 3-28, 2024 RECEPTION JANUARY 5, 2024 ART, LITERALLY - infinite in faculties Limitless abilities of art and its possibilities Call for Art -DECEMBER 6-16, 2023 Adjudication - DECEMBER 19, 2023 Notification - DECEMBER 22, 2023 Hanging - DECEMBER 31-JANUARY 2, 2024 STEERING COMMITTEE

FEBRUARY 2024

JANUARY 31 – FEBRUARY 25, 2024 RECEPTION FEBRUARY 2, 2024 AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH black, white and a pop of color. Interpretations in black and white to express insight into the African diaspora in the Americas. Call for Art - JANUARY 6 – JANUARY 13, 2024 Adjudication - JANUARY 17, 2024 Notification - JANUARY 19, 2024 Hanging - JANUARY 28-JANUARY 29 STEERING COMMITTEE

MARCH 2024

FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 31, 2024 RECEPTION – MARCH 1, 2024 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH (TBD) Feminist Unveiled Art by or inspired by women. Call for Art-FEBRUARY 5- FEBRUARY 15, 2024 Adjudication -FEBRUARY 18, 2024 Notification - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 Hanging - FEBRUARY 25-26, 2024 STEERING COMMITTEE

APRIL 2024

APRIL 3 – APRIL 28, 2024 RECEPTION - APRIL 5, 2024 EMERGING ARTISTS – Showcasing artwork of students 15-25 years old from PWC. Call for Art - MARCH 5 – MARCH 15, 2024 Adjudication -MARCH 18, 2024 Notification - MARCH 20, 2024 Hanging - MARCH 31-APRIL 1, 2024 STEERING COMMITTEE

MAY 2024

MAY 1 – MAY 26, 2024 RECEPTION MAY 1, 2024 MAY FLOWER SHOW - Highlights art that recreates nature with a focus on the beauty of growing things found in nature. Call for Art - APRIL 8 – 17, 2024 Adjudication - APRIL 21, 2024 Notification - APRIL 23, 2024 Hanging - APRIL 28-29, 2024 STEERING COMMITTEE

JUNE 2024

MAY 29 – JUNE 30, 2024 RECEPTION MAY 31, 2024 PRIDE MONTH BRICKS, STONES, AND ROCKS AS FOUNDATIONS - Pocketed resistance Call for Art -MAY 6 -MAY 16. 2024 Adjudication - MAY 19, 2024 Notification - MAY 22, 2024 MAY 28, 2024 * MEMORIAL DAY Small historical posters placed around the gallery STEERING COMMITTEE

JULY 2024

July 3 to July 14, 2024 RECEPTION JULY 12TH – Bay show artist are responsible for the reception with aid for the event and planning committee. BAY SHOW Portfolio due by June 19th Call for Art - May 19, 2024, Adjudication - June 23rd Notification - June 26th Hanging - June 30th - July 1st STEERING COMMITTEE

JULY 2024

JULY 17 -August 11th, 2024 RECEPTION JULY 19, 2024 DEFINING AMERICA - Depicting American culture through personal perspective. Call for Art - JUNE 5 – 15, 2024 Adjudication - JUNE 18, 2024 Notification - JUNE 20, 2024 Hanging - JUNE 30 -JULY 1, 2024 STEERING COMMITTEE

AUGUST 2024

*AUGUST 14– SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 Reception AUGUST 16th PWAS BEST OF NOVA REGION SHOW– call for art that showcases the best art found in the Northern Virginia area. (Proposal forthcoming –) 3 entries for $40.00 E blast May 1st -August 1, 2024 Entries July 25th ADJUDICATION Aug 4th NOTIFICATION Aug 7th Hanging Aug 11th STEERING COMMITTEE PWAS COMMITTEE

*More on this show at a later date

SEPTEMBER 2024

SEPTEMBER 18 – OCTOBER 20th, 2024 HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH NUESTRO MUNDO TAMBIÉN We’re also the world. Call for Art -AUGUST 20-29, 2024 Adjudication - AUGUST 31, 2024 STEERING COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 Notification -SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 Hanging-SEPTEMBER 15-SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

OCTOBER 2024

October 23 – November 24, 2024 RECEPTION OCTOBER 25, 2024 NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE (TBD) True Natives Call for Art - SEPTEMBER 17- 30, 2024 Adjudication -OCT 4, 2024 Notification - OCTOBER 8, 2024 Hanging - OCTOBER 20 -OCTOBER 21, 2024 STEERING COMMITTEE

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2024

November 27th – January 5, 2025 RECEPTION TBD COMFORT AND JOY SHOW Call for Art -OCTOBER 22 - NOVEMBER 8, 2024 Adjudication - NOVEMBER 13, 2024 Notification - NOVEMBER 9, 2024 Hanging - NOVEMBER 17-18, 2024 STEERING COMMITTEE

JANUARY 2025

JANUARY 8 – JANUARY 26, 2025 INSTALLING OUR FUTURE- Installations, bas relief, collages, 3d works and found objects sculpture. Grab and go with small items of $25 or less STEERING COMMITTEE

If you are an artist, living in PWC, above the age of 18 (except for the Emerging Artist show) get started on the canvases, the photos, the prints, the artworks to show off the best of what you do for these upcoming shows!

Author: Penny Shaw

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 Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The Prince William Art Society is a 52-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.

Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Post 364: PWAS Meeting with Anna Gatling

PWAS Meeting with Anna Gatling

Monday, June 26, 2023. The Prince William Art Society met for their monthly 4th Monday of the month meeting at the Tall Oaks Community Center in Woodbridge, Virginia and featured guest speaker, PWAS member Anna Gatling.

Colors Do Something to People

Anna told of her background - where she grew up and her art experiences in her wonderful way, explaining her art journey thus far in her life. Like many artists, when lock down happened in early 2020, after a trip to Michael's and stocking up on all things art supplies, Anna reintroduced herself to her love of art. (Insert here that it would have been an great time to have purchased stock in Michaels!)

She soon joined PWAS, followed by showing her art at Open Space Arts (OSA). She told of having people respond to her artwork, noting that as people came into the gallery they occasionally would make a beeline toward one of her art pieces and as Anna stated, "Colors do something to people".

PWAS members enjoyed her program and her art and I'll take the liberty to also show one of the OSA gallery's most favorite art pieces shown that you may recall, as it has been sold - at the end of this post. Her program in pictures...

Anna showed some of her watercolor pieces first...

Then Anna moved into her exploration of paint pouring and adding creative and interesting embellishments...

And finally, her art ventured into the challenges of realism...

If you've been over to Open Space Arts this year, you may have seen this artwork by Anna Gatling. The piece is called "Cotton and Chain" and won first place in our February People's Choice Awards 2023.

It was a fun program, thank you Anna!

People's Choice Winner

A recent change in PWAS meetings starts with our featured speaker artist, refreshments, then we attend to the business side of the Prince William Art Society. As always, the public is invited. If you are interested in being a part of PWAS, we have a monthly meeting on the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30pm at the Tall Oaks Community Center on the corner of Cotton Mill and Hedges Run off of Old Bridge Road in Woodbridge.

Photography/Video Credits: Donna Liguria

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Post 363: Art Tips 2

Art Tips, Tricks, and More...2

You never know when you might hear an art tip about something that is just the suggestion that will solve an issue for you or help you and your work in some way. This will hopefully be an ongoing series of tips and I would LOVE to have your suggestions as well!

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash

Art Tips, Advice, Suggestions

Look around the house for items that can add texture. Create stencils out of: bubble wrap, doilies, lace, clean sponges, and more.
Change your point of view for your inspirational photos - look up, look down, get low.
Acrylic paint drying too fast for you? Try spraying the back of your canvas with water to help hold the moisture longer. There are mediums you can use as well that will slow down the drying time.
Use a covered palette with acrylics - and spray water in it for added moisture. The ones with the damp sponges work well too (stay-wet palettes) - just clean and change periodically to avoid issues.
Keep your coffee cup AWAY from your paint water cup.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (from PWAS member Michelle Baker #6-12)
A thrifted baby diaper bag with lots of pockets makes a great art carrier.
Plastic containers can get a new life after being thoroughly washed as brush stations or palettes.Try incorporating found items in your work either for patterns or textures-orange red mesh bags can be used in so many ways.
Dollar Tree plastic placemats or thrifted plastic mats are great for taping watercolor paper to if you like to work on more than one painting at a time.
Goodwill is a great place to pick up art supplies to try new ideas or mediums.
Egg cartons are fantastic for many art projects.
Facebook pages like "Buy Nothing Gainesville, VA" or "Buy Nothing Woodbridge, VA" are great places to score materials.

What art tips, art advice or suggestions do you have to add? Money saving tips, new art tools, art "hacks" - using every day objects in usual ways - what ideas have you used?

See the Art Tips Series on this page for more tidbits of advice: https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/p/art.html

Send me YOUR art tips too or drop them in the comments below. AND let me know if you find an art tip here that you LOVE!

Author: Michelle Baker for her 6 great tips too!

Local Art: Visit us at any of our local art shows and our monthly meetings.
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.

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Friday, June 23, 2023

Post 362: PWAS Art Group Meeting Jun 26, 2023 Featuring Anna Gatling

PWAS Art Group Meeting Jun 26, 2023 Featuring Anna Gatling

The Prince William Art Society is a 50+ year old group of artists and art enthusiasts that meet monthly on the fourth Monday of the month in Woodbridge, VA. PWAS consists of a very diverse group of artists - from beginner to professional, that work in a variety of mediums and styles. The group typically mixes group business (what art opportunities and things are going on), refreshments, and fun art programs including anything like "show and tell", how to presentations, or what the featured artist does types of programs.

Anna Gatling at Open Space Arts in February 2023 for the African American Voices and Visions art show, where she won People's Choice for "Cotton and Chain" which was purchased. Art Prints are available.

Monday, June 26, 2023 at 7:30pm at Tall Oaks

The Prince William Art Society will host a program by Fine ArtistAnna Gatling, who primarily works in water media including watercolorbut with a recent emphasis on acrylics. Her work ranges from fluid,expressive abstracts to realism featuring intricately worked surfacesand lush spreads of color. Come attend the next membership meeting onJune 26th at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 7:30 pm to enjoy thisfree program. Programs and meetings are free and the public is cordiallyinvited to attend. Following Ms. Gatling's presentation, there will berefreshments and an opportunity to speak with the artist, then abusiness meeting where you will hear about local opportunities for artists.Location: 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA, 22192

Click on the image for a larger view

Anna's "Closer Look"

Anna's "Fluid Weave"

Anna Gatling also is the PWAS Membership coordinator.

Come by and meet Anna as well as many of the PWAS members, learn more about our group and enjoy your time with us.

Learn more:

Prince William Art Society

Benefits of Joining a Local Art Group

Author: Emily Hawes, PWAS Program Director

Photography/Video Credits:

Anna Gatling

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Monday, June 19, 2023

Post 361: Art Tips 1

Art Tips, Tricks, and More...1

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash

Art Tips, Advice, Suggestions

Rules are made to be broken, then sketch the broken box they were carried in on.
As Bob Ross put it, there are no "art accidents", you can make "happy little trees" or whatever is logical to your art. I've made lady bugs or birds out of paint splatters.
A sketch a day, makes a better apple. A better doodle, a better face. Skill sets are ALWAYS improved with practice. If you played guitar you would need to practice, right? Become a better artist by DOING.
Take a lot of time "seeing" your art. Take a picture of it, view it from different angles. Turn it up-side-down, sideways. Check the balance, feel and intensity of whatever is on the canvas. Stand back from the work as you would if it was hanging in someone's living room. You will "see" the overall effect better and see where improvements are needed.
You are your own worst critic. A family member is often just a cheerleader.
Don't compare your work to another person's artwork. Everyone is different.
Watch, learn, inspire and admire, how could you make it your own, make it better, do it differently? What twist can you put on something so that you are not copying someone else?
Don't mess up your art admirer viewer's Chi by pointing out where you think your mistakes are.
Begin by staining your canvas in a dull tone to do away with the glaring white of the canvas to better determine your color values.
Use an inexpensive 12x12 picture glass-front frame as your pallet. Put a neutral gray paper under the glass as the background. To clean the dry acrylic paint off of it, spray with water, let sit, then wipe or scrap it off.
Dried paint on a brush? Misshaped brushes? Don't toss - try Murphy's Oil Soap and water! Let soak for a couple of hours then try working that paint out, rinse, then let dry flat - or better yet with the brush side slightly lower than the handle. You can also use fabric softener to help clean brushes, rinse well.
Use an old cookie sheet with the edges to dry your brushes. Put paper towels in the center and lean the brush handles on the edges so that the brush tips are in the center of the cookie sheet. This will help to drain the water from the ferrule (the metal part).

15 Genius Sketching Hacks You Wish You Knew

What art tips, art advice or suggestions do you have to add? Money saving tips, new art tools, art "hacks" - using every day objects in usual ways - what ideas have you used?

Art Tips 2 and 3 are coming up soon...

See the Art Tips Series on this page for more tidbits of advice: https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/p/art.html

Send me YOUR art tips too or drop them in the comments below. AND let me know if you find an art tip here that you LOVE!

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, Donna's Etsy site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Post 360: A Taste of Woodbridge and a Touch of Art June 10, 2023

A Taste of Woodbridge and a Touch of Art June 10, 2023

Saturday, June 10, 2023 Stonebridge "Taste of Woodbridge" street festival found the Prince William Art Society members out on the street. Well, setting up a popup art show in the street in celebration of this annual Woodbridge street festival at Stonebridge.

Open Space Arts Gallery 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA

We had a beautiful day! PWAS Members at the party, um...art show: Anna Gatling, Susan Furr, Sandra McClelland Lewin, Richard Tyler, Maria Briganti, Otis Stanley, Donna Liguria, Sheri Herrick, Carol Rusaw, Fatima Fatool, Doreen Dauer, Megan Richert, Tom Payne, Helen Burroughs, Dave Dillon, Fatima Farzana, Connie Huebner, Kelly Kaneklau, and Evelyn Chatters

Art Show Pictures

So if a picture speak a thousand words, what does a thousand pictures have to say? Photos by Otis Stanley, a PWAS member...

Mark Murphy, PWAS Treasurer

Fatima Batool

PWAS Tent up at Stonebridge "Taste of Woodbridge"

Richard Tyler

Donna Liguria

Evelyn Chatters, our art show coordinator

Maria Briganti and Susan Furr

Sandra McClelland Lewin and Donna Liguria

Richard Tyler working on an art piece

David Dillan and Robert Dew discussing art theory, perspectives and composition...maybe...or it could have been the weather

Fatima Farzana and Megan Richert

Evelyn Chatters and Mark Murphy, it's only rock and roll but I like it...

Evelyn Chatters and Mark Murphy

Tom Payne

Susan Furr

Fatima Farzana

Mark Murphy and mini-friend working on the intricacies of balloon holding

Susan Furr, Anna Gatling, Evelyn Chatters and Brenda Vann holding down the "fort" - inside the Open Space Arts gallery

If I don't have everyone's name listed, let me know - we are a big group and new folks are joining all the time!

Photography/Video Credits:
Otis Stanley

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Friday, June 16, 2023

Post 359: PWAS, What's on Your Easel?

PWAS, What's on Your Easel?

Periodically i post a question of our Prince William Art Society members of 'What are your currently working on?' Usually I get a lot of responses...but it has been a busy month with vacations, art shows, gallery stuff, family stuff. Nonetheless, I'll go with what I did get and I added an art tip.

BTW - I'm working on a blog post with art tips if you have something to share.

Bruce Fasick

Working on the prep for my RAW “Duets” show at Madigan’s June 28 (Occoquan)

Invite enclosed….Hope some of the group will stop in.

Donna Liguria

Just finishing up "Wading Shackleford Pony" 12x16 Acrylic inspired by a recent trip to Harker's Island, North Carolina.

Update: Saturday, June 17, 2023 "Wading Shackleford Pony" has found a new home.

Art Tip: I recently went to the Loudoun County Art Studio Tour and one thing I noticed an artist do is a way to protect the bottom of her canvases. She had taken a pool noodle and cut off lengths of it and sliced down the noodle longways on one side and inserted it at the bottom of her canvases. So whenever the painting was sitting on the floor, it cushioned the edges. Smart, right?

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, Donna's Etsy 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 and our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, 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!

Pages

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

What's Going on at OSA

List of 2023-2025 Art Shows at Open Space Arts

From the desk of Penny Shaw, Open Space Arts Committee

JULY 2023

SEPTEMBER 2023

OCTOBER 2023

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023

FEBRUARY 2024

MAY 2024

JUNE 2024

JULY 2024

JULY 2024

AUGUST 2024

SEPTEMBER 2024

OCTOBER 2024

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2024

JANUARY 2025

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

PWAS Meeting with Anna Gatling

Colors Do Something to People

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Art Tips, Tricks, and More...2

Art Tips, Advice, Suggestions

Friday, June 23, 2023

PWAS Art Group Meeting Jun 26, 2023 Featuring Anna Gatling

Monday, June 26, 2023 at 7:30pm at Tall Oaks

Monday, June 19, 2023

Art Tips, Tricks, and More...1

Art Tips, Advice, Suggestions

Sunday, June 18, 2023

A Taste of Woodbridge and a Touch of Art June 10, 2023

Art Show Pictures

Friday, June 16, 2023

PWAS, What's on Your Easel?

Bruce Fasick

Donna Liguria

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