PWAS at Fall Art at the Mill 2024
Several members of the Prince William Art Society are once again trekking to Milwood, Virginia for the bi-annual Art at the Mill Fall Show once again. This is a fantastic show - one of the best I have seen. It pulls from artists all over the area and beyond each spring and fall.
PWAS Members at Art at the Mill
It's that time again. Every spring and fall, the call goes out for artists to submit their art to Art at the Mill. And several Prince William Art Society artists answered the call: Sandra McClelland Lewin, Bettie Sperty, Elena Jochum, and Donna Liguria. The show will begin on Saturday, September 21 until Sunday, October 6, 2024 - 7 days a week. Sundays through Fridays 12-5pm and Saturdays 10-5pm. The Artist Reception is Sunday, September 29 from 2-5pm.
I asked how many entries they had this year and was told 1534 and juried in were 926 pieces. Let's take a look at the who has what in the show.
PWAS Member Sandra McClelland Lewin
Here's the three I have at the Mill:
I always enjoy taking part in the Art at the Mill show. There's a huge display of art that is awe-inspiring and they have a great reception for the artists!
PWAS Member Bettie Sperty
This is only my second time participating in the Art AT The Mill shows. When I first saw the number of artworks and the quality of every single piece, I can only say that I was blown away! (And a bit intimidated.) The Art at the Mill shows attract artists from all walks of life, all ages, from numerous regions, every medium you can imagine, and brings them together in a huge exhibit in this beautiful, historic rural setting. When you visit the show you not only get to gaze upon stunning artworks, but also get to drive and explore the areas nearby.
When we picked up my artwork from the spring show, my husband and I spent the rest of the day exploring the area, stopping at historic markers, little shops, took winding roads and just made a day of it. It is well worth the trip to see the Mill - which is an actual working mill, to see the artwork and to experience the area. Go for it!
PWAS Member Elena Jochum
The first one is called “Tarp” and it’s 30”x48” acrylic on canvas. Tarp represents how not everything is what it looks like, facades can be deceiving. It’s a cautionary tale that there might be nothing underneath. I do believe it’s up to the viewer to interpret fine art, and I leave it to them to contemplate on the meaning of it as well.
The second one is “Spring Peonies” acrylic on canvas, 15.5”x19.5”. I painted it for my daughter. I bought fresh peonies and they really inspires me and filled me with joy, love, energy and spring.
PWAS Member Donna Liguria
I'm just amazed at this art show in Milwood, VA. It has such a turn out of artists, seriously really great artists, and it sort of sits way out there in a tiny town at such a cool historic spot. A live, working mill! Who knew? These are the three pieces of mine that were accepted to be shown at this fall's show.
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Art Incoming!
As the art is delivered by the artists, who have already registered on Signup Genius their delivery times, and ours was between 1 and 1:30pm on Friday, August 30, 2024, the artwork is logged into their computers and our tags are handed out. Sandra and Bettie are having their works labeled by Ann McCarty. In the meantime, emails are sent for each piece that is received. Art will be delivered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Then other volunteers scamper off with the art and hang it on the walls. Some pieces are tagged for reserve and go upstairs. As you can see, with 926 art pieces art of every conceivable size the walls are filled, floor to ceiling. I think if a volunteer stands still long enough, he or she will end up having to hold a piece of art for the duration of the show!
Although some artwork is held in reserve, that doesn't mean it will not be seen. Art at the Mill loads ALL of the artwork online and will open a link when the show opens and many collectors will purchase directly. One thing about the Mill's art show, art is ALWAYS coming back downstairs and being put up on the walls as space opens. The show is in constant motion and movement!
The show will end up on two floors of the 4 story building. Do check out the lowest floor where the mill grinds various flours that they have for sale. The main floor will have art in every nook and cranny and then up on the second floor will be the bulk of the art. And, by golly, the day of the artist's reception is a fun day of a great spread for everyone to enjoy and to meet other artists.
This is an art show at a whole different level and well worth the drive from here in Woodbridge. It will take a little over an hour from here - and if you're up for it, a few different wineries and breweries along the way!
See also Spring Art at the Mill 2024
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
