Sunday, May 3, 2026

Post 622: A Day in May for the Love of Art, Spring Tall Oaks Art Show

A Day in May for the Love of Art

A Review of the Sprint Tall Oaks Art Show from Saturday, May 2, 2026

The nonprofit art group called the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) has a biannual art show that the members participate in, showing the various styles of artwork that they create. The shows typically take place the first Saturday in May for the Spring show and again on the first Saturday in October for their Fall show. Oh the fun we have! 

 

Spring Tall Oaks Art Show Sat May 2, 2026

The weather was rather crispy on Saturday, May 2 but we still had a wonderful day as a total for PWAS. Some of things I really love about the Spring and Fall Tall Oaks shows is that not only do we display as local artists to our local community, but we have a fantastic day to mingle and socialize with our fellow members in a very relaxed atmosphere. We get to know the newer members better too as well as catching up with our fellow artist friends. 

PWAS Members at the show from left to right: Eric Ndofor, Doreen Dauer, Evelyn Chatters, Maria "Tes" Sain , Donna Liguria, Ana Quispe (kneeling), Staci Blanchard, Carol Noboa, "Goli" Golzar Salih (also kneeling), Richard Tyler, and Kat Gates. Not pictured in this photo above are Maria Briganti and Nina Gribov 

When you have a roomful of artists, we share art tips, talk about past shows, upcoming shows, and art ideas too. And a big bonus is when other PWAS members that are not in the current show, stop by and see what we are up to! We were happy to see Tinnetta Putin, Sandra McClelland Lewin, Tom Payne, Kwaku, L.A. Mejias, and we had another well-known visitor become our newest PWAS member too! JAUNE MILAN welcome, welcome!

Getting the opportunity to talk with our visitors and discuss their favorite pieces and/or answer their questions just makes the day. And a good many of them where able to relocate their favorite pieces to their own homes (or as gifts)! We had a record-breaking PWAS Show Day!

As always, click on a photo to enlarge. 

Tall Oaks Community Center is also where PWAS holds their monthly meetings on the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30pm. Check the PWAS website for all news, upcoming events, updates, and contact info at https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/. 12298 Cotton Mill Road, Woodbridge, VA

The members painting outside:

Richard Tyler painting plein air on the front porch 
Kat Gates also painting out on the porch 
 
Let's have a look at the show, beginning with the artists with their artwork.The members artwork was set up with their art on the front and back of the gridwall.
Carol Noboa  
"Kat" Kathleen Gates
Staci Blanchard "The Goddess of Glitter" 

I have to tell the tale of HOW Staci became a member. One day I was of course, shopping for art supplies at the local Michael's here in Woodbridge, VA. So you know how and where the aisles are in a Michael's store (YOU KNOW if you're an artist), well, going up and down the aisles I came across a lady also shopping in the art supplies paint section. The art discussion began with "Are you an artist and what are you painting or creating?" followed by the showing of art on our phones. Somehow the conversation got around to local art groups and an invitation to come to a PWAS monthly meeting. Ta-DA - Staci has been a very welcome addition to our membership ever since! Hint, hint...just talk to those artists in the aisles! And perhaps have a PWAS brochure handy too.

Anna Gatling  
Maria Briganti (artwork at top)
Ana Quispe
Evelyn Chatters
Zee Berrios with the ever elusive blue tape in hand. (So that's where it went!)
Goli Salih 
Tes Sain 
Eric Ndofor 
Richard Tyler 
Doreen Dauer
Nina Gribov
Donna Liguria 

Now for some random art show pics:

Isn't LOCAL art just the BEST?!! 
Seeing the artwork in person is ALWAYS highly recommended. Your iPhone, your computer never do the art justice.
Lions and Tigers and Bears, O My! 
I often say in our blog posts that if you miss a meeting, you miss a lot. It holds true for art shows too, don't you think? 

It DOES indeed take teamwork to hold an art show. And PWAS has a great many people that helped to make this show a success. We thank each and every member of the art group. Not only in the show setup, the show running, but the show take down too. The old work adage of "No one's work is done until everyone's work is done" still holds true. 
A great group of people!
 
A BIG thank you to all the visitors that came out to see our art! We appreciate you!
 
If you missed this show, you can see us again in Manassas at the ARTfactory July 10-Aug 9, 2026 for our Nostalgia Show, potentially at ARTS ALIVE in Manassas Sept 12, 2026, and again at Tall Oaks in October.  
 
Drop your comments in the link below. See here on HOW to post so you're not Anonymous, see Comments. And by the way, how did you like the new setup?


Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

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 (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

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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Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Post 621: A Great PWAS Meeting with Otis Stanley

A Great PWAS Meeting with Otis Stanley

The members of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) and several visiting artists, met on Monday, April 27 at the Tall Oaks Community Building at 7:30pm for their monthly meeting. We had a wonderful meeting with a special guest speaker, a time for social interaction, and got caught up on the upcoming business of the art group.

Guest Speaker Otis Stanley

Our guest speaker for April was PWAS member, Otis Stanley, who gave a wonderful talk on his life and artistic journey, finding the Prince William Art Society, learning to display art and talking about several artworks he had painted and on display. It is so inspiring to hear the story behind the artworks he creates, the feeling and the deep history found in so many of his pieces. And thank you for your service, Otis!

Many of us remember the time when we were part of the art gallery over at the Stonebridge Shopping Center (2021-2023) and were working as a gallery volunteers with Otis and his knack for getting people in to see the art... some of whom later became PWAS members! Otis is a treasure of a person and such an amazing artist.

A few pics from Ana Quispe: 

The Business of PWAS

Welcome to all of our new members - there were a lot of new faces, so great to see you! 

There are some very important upcoming dates for everyone that we discussed. 

Thursday, April 30 is the deadline to ENTER the Jul/Aug PWAS ARTfactory art show for PWAS MEMBERS! The theme is Nostalgia.

Saturday, May 2 Art in the Garden with Plein Air Artists Robert Dew and David Dillon - see the notices on the PWAS website for more info. Prince William Art Society

Saturday, May 2 PWAS Spring Tall Oaks Show at 12298 Cotton Mill Drive is our biannual show for an art show, rain or shine, right there in Lake Ridge 10-5. 

Monday, May 25 the next PWAS meeting will be when we award our Annual Scholarship to a graduating local high school senior that will be going forward and studying a career in art. Come and enjoy this wonderful celebration.

Monday, June 15 is the deadline for PWAS Members to submit their ideas for a new PWAS Logo. Watch your emails for info on this. 

July 10-Aug 9 is the PWAS at the ARTfactory Art Show featuring the member artworks with the theme of Nostalgia. This is a juried show and the deadline to enter is above, Apr 30.

Saturday, Sept 12 is the potential date for the 'new' Arts Alive art show at the Hylton Performing Art Center. More info to come on that later. Info TBD.

Saturday, Oct 5 should be the Fall Tall Oaks Art Show - dates and times and show coordinator TBD. 

Also discussed were some upcoming art classes (available on the PWAS website). 

As I like to say, miss a meeting and you miss a lot! See you at the next one!

Drop a comment below! 


Photos: Donna Liguria, Ana Quispe

Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

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 (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

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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Friday, April 24, 2026

Post 620: Upcoming PWAS Member Art Shows Apr 2026

Upcoming PWAS Member Art Shows Apr 2026

The PWAS Artistry Spin Blog is happy to post the PWAS Members art shows and events, individual or group shows every month. Each PWAS Member is welcome to send me info of any art event they are showing in, if you let me know some details... hey, it is FREE promo for your show! Let's see who has a show coming soon for you to check out!

Annaburg Manor Manassas, VA

Several PWAS members are now showing at Annaburg Manor Manassas, VA which is scheduled for April 24-26 with the art reception today, April 24 from 5-7pm

PWAS Member Lizzy Javier

I am pleased to announce that three of my paintings were accepted to the ShenArts "Spring Market" gallery exhibit, themed "Let's Bloom", running from April 3 -May 10. 

Opening Reception: April 3, 5-7 PM

Location: ShenArts Gallery
                128 N Loudoun St.
                 Winchester, VA
 


PWAS Member Mark Murphy

Potomac Valley Watercolorists (PVW) will be hosting their "2026 Online Members Exhibition" from March 1 - April 30, 2026.  In this exhibit you can view a wide variety of high-quality art created with watercolors and other water-based media.  Please visit the PVW website at:  https://www.potomacvalleywatercolorists.org

PWAS Member Donna Liguria, Sandra McClelland Lewin and Bettie Sperty at Art at the Mill

Spring Art at the Mill Spring at the Burwell-Morgan Mill (a LIVE mill)

15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, VA, which is in Clarke County.

April 18, 2026 through Sunday, May 3, 2026 

Art reception on Sunday, April 26. 

Read more here https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2026/03/post-609-pwas-members-at-spring-art-at.html

African Violets by Donna Liguria 

Rooster by Sandra McClelland Lewin 
Pink Glads by Bettie Sperty 

PWAS Spring Tall Oaks Art Show 

Is Saturday, May 2 from 10 to 5 at 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA where some members of PWAS will be showing their art, rain or shine.

 


What's on your calendar?

PWAS Members - You need to send me YOUR art show list at the end of each month to be posted FOR the next month. Dec for Jan 2026, Jan for Feb...etc. I can't promote you if I don't know what you are up to! 


Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

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 (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

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, April 22, 2026

Post 619: PWAS Meeting Mon Apr 27 with Guest Artist Otis Stanley

PWAS Meeting Mon Apr 27 with Guest Artist Otis Stanley

The Prince William Art Society, known as PWAS (pronounced "p-whauzz") is a 55 year old nonprofit art group in Prince William County, VA that meets monthly on the 4th Monday of the month. The group meets at 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Lake Ridge, VA at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 7:30pm. Meetings often have a guest speaker and for April, we'll feature PWAS Member Otis Stanley.

PWAS Meeting

On April 27 at 7:30 PM the Prince William Art Society will hold their monthly meeting at the Lake Ridge Community Center, 22192 Cotton Mill Road, Lake Ridge 22192. Monthly meetings feature a guest or member artist, a project, a show-and-share or our scholarship presentation. This month, members are invited to enjoy the work and philosophy of our accomplished member artist Otis L. Stanley, followed by a business meeting presenting opportunities to be involved in community arts. All members of the community are invited to attend these free meetings and art presentations. 

For PWAS member Otis L. Stanley, art is simply living. Often painting in monochromatic colors Otis creates art that reflects his experiences and culture. Acrylic paint is his choice of mediums. Never conforming to popular themes Otis would rather tread a road less traveled to invite conversation about the work. Hoping to shine a light on the common humanity of us all Otis is at peace in his lane of subjects. 

Otis has work hung in Va., Md., D.C., Pa., N.Y., N.J., Conn., La, Calif., S.C., Fla. and Tring U.K. Here is where you can view Otis' work:  @otisstanley9127 on Youtube, and on instagram he is @otislstanley.





March Meeting Collage Activity

Last month members and guests ripped, tore and glued collages to create abstracts or landscapes, portraiture, or narrative or figurative backdrops. Everyone was encouraged to take their collage home and use pen, paint or mediums of their choice on them - to alter them, add outline or detail, or simply to use the backdrop as a taking off point for another style of contrasting work. There was already a wide variety of interpretations as we left that night. See https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2026/03/post-609-pwas-meeting-mon-mar-23-2026.html

Bring your altered collage back on the 27th to lay out on a side table to share. Anyone who missed last month can try a torn or cut paper collage (magazine scraps are perfect) on any mixed media paper, then use the dry collage as a backdrop for something going a little bit further. Then bring them in.


See you at the meeting! 


Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

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 (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

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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Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Post 618: Meet the PWAS Members 2026 Part 3

Meet the PWAS Members 2026 Part 3

Introducing the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) Members Part 3. The nonprofit art group meets monthly on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA. Besides updates on upcoming art projects for the art group, our meetings often feature art programs spotlighting area artists displaying and showing their art process, member "show and tell", and occasionally an art project to work on. Miss a meeting and you miss a LOT!

See Meet the Members Part 1 

And Meet the Members Part 2 

Let's meet a few more of the area's artist members of PWAS and this post includes the Members: Otis Stanley, Tinnetta Putney, Eric Ndofor, and Scott Elliott

PWAS Member Otis Stanley

Bio: PWAS member Otis Stanley feels art is simply living. Through his figurative paintings often in monochromatic colors; he hopes to create an avenue for conversation. With his work on both coasts and from Conn. to LA., Otis feels his work has touched many in a positive way.

PWAS Member Scott Elliott

Bio: Scott Elliott is a musician and artist that resides in Northern Virginia. Scott paints mainly with acrylics, also including mixed media. He has been an official member of PWAS since 2023. @ScottSpur 

PWAS Member Tinnetta Putney (Vice President 2026-2027)

Bio: Tinnetta Putney is a contemporary realism artist dedicated to exploring the intersection of technical precision and the inherent beauty of the human subject. My work is intentionally restorative; I choose to move away from politics and controversy to focus on aesthetically pleasing imagery that celebrates the human condition for its own sake. I bring a sophisticated understanding of light and shadow to my drawings. By stripping away the distractions of a traditional palette, I’m able to reveal a different kind of brilliance, creating art that feels colorful and vibrant without the use of actual color."

PWAS Member Eric Ndofor (Treasurer 2025 - 2027)

Bio: Rooted in a career in public health, I’ve always turned to art for grounding, joy, and connection. I love acrylic for the bold colors and clean layers, and watercolor for its spontaneity. My style blends realism and impressionism, inspired by the calm energy of natural landscapes and seascapes. Many of my pieces reflect experiences and stories from the places I’ve lived, worked, and traveled to. As treasurer, I aim to strengthen PWAS’ financial systems, resource mobilization, and creative programming, supporting sustainable growth and a welcoming space for artists of all backgrounds. I enjoy uplifting creative communities across Prince William County (PWC) with PWAS- the oldest and most welcoming art community in PWC, offering artists diverse opportunities to learn, exhibit, and connect. Outside of work, I love exploring local art, learning languages, traveling, and spending time outdoors with my family and friends.

 

And MORE...

If you are a NEW member to PWAS, send your bio (short) and pic to the Blog Admin! 

If you want to learn the HISTORY of PWAS, see blog post 1 at https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2021/08/post-1-about-pwas-history-of-prince.html 

Remember to see Meet the PWAS Members 2026 Part 1 and Meet Members Part 2

Like this post? Comment below and share it on social media! 


Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

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 (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

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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Monday, April 13, 2026

Post 617: PWAS Spring Tall Oaks Art Show Sat, May 2, 10-5

PWAS Spring Tall Oaks Art Show Sat, May 2, 10-5

The biannual Prince William Art Society Spring Tall Oaks Art Show will take place on Saturday, May 2 from 10am to 5pm at 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA. The artist members will have a variety of art, art styles and art mediums on display for your viewing. Local art by local artists right in Lake Ridge!

Tall Oaks Community Building in Woodbridge

We've had great turn outs for our art shows each year and enjoyed meeting everyone! The art show can go on - rain or shine! Often we have an artist painting out front too. We'll be right off Old Bridge Road, down from the Giant on Hedges Run and the corner of Cotton Mill Road - so Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Occoquan - an art show right in your backyards!

Click on an image to enlarge... 



 Mark those calendars and come meet the artists on Saturday, May 2.

A few pics from past art shows: 



 





Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

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 (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

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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Saturday, April 4, 2026

Post 616: PWAS Member Art Show Coming This Summer at the ARTfactory

PWAS Member Art Show Coming This Summer at the ARTfactory

An email went out to the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) members about a Call for Art for the July 10 - August 9, 2026 juried art show at the ARTfactory in Manassas, Virginia. The submission deadline is Thursday, April 30, 2026 and the theme is Nostalgia. Mark those calendars, quickly rejoin or join PWAS, but let's get ready for this show!

https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership 

Nostalgia Ideas

I love this idea for an art show! Just think of all the art gallery visitors that will wander the gallery "oooing" and "awwwwing" all the wonderfully clever art works on display and thinking, "Oh, I remember those!" Let's see if we can jog a memory to find or to create artwork for this show, themed as Nostalgia (although the list is endless)! Alrighty, let's shake up the brain cells.

Do be careful of any copyrights but do get creative.
 
Nostalgia according to Wikipedia: 

"Nostalgia is a sentimental view of the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations. It is often described as a sort of sad pleasure, in which a person longs for a past, whether real or romanticized, that cannot be recovered. It can also refer to a type of homesickness."

  • What reminds you of grandma? Or your mom? Of 'Home'? The "good old days"?
  • What fond memories do you have of your childhood? 
  • Did you have a favorite toy or game you played? 
  • How about the music, your favorite band or music artist?
  • Where did you used to go that has since disappeared or has changed so much you don't recognize it any more? 
  • Carnivals, Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds... 
  • Baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet. 
  • How about your younger self or when your kids were little?
  • A perfect vacation. One for the books. The Vacay of a lifetime. Keep it G-rated, kids!
  • Speaking of books...a favorite book from way back when. Pride and Prejudice! 
  • How did you celebrate special holidays when you were knee-high to a toad-frog? 
  • What old car did you have, what was your first set of wheels? Big Wheel! 
  • Pets of long ago.
  • A huge banana split you wanted...maybe your eyes were bigger than your stomach! 
  • Reminder the days of flip phones, cassette tapes, albums and album covers, VHS players. Oh my gosh, disco? I dare someone to paint a disco ball. Please include Donna Summer singing, "I Feel Love".
  • Baby's first bowl of spaghetti with more on baby's head than in his/her mouth. 
  • Now don't you get why your mom always said, "Go clean up your room!"? What a mess that room was!
  • The greatest sand castle on earth 
  • Playdough, tricycle, bicycle, bigwheels, marbles, crayons, Matchbox cars, playgrounds, paper airplanes, flying a kite
  • The clock on the wall at school and it shows 5 minutes to 3. 
  • The early days of TV, cartoons, Barbie and Ken, Cabbage Patch Kids?
  • Classic movies - so many old great movies!
  • Candy! Paint those Gummy Bears, Jelly Bellies, Rock Candy.
  • Cereal. 'Nuff said. 
  • Old dishes, or glasses, or thrift stores finds that have a history behind them. Maybe an antique too.
  • Riding bikes, snow sledding, how about the play ground you romped around in.
  • Think about that old "Tech" that really isn't that long ago. A Walkman? A girl waiting by the dial up phone hoping and waiting for that special boy to call?
  • Did you go to the movie theater, the drive-in theater. An arcade?
  • A first kiss? A first date? 
  • School days...so many stories  

Did the list jiggle a memory of something you may have already painted in your art inventory? Did you get an idea for something you could get on the easel? Let me know!

Remember, the ARTfactory wants artwork that has NOT appeared at their gallery before. And you have to do a write up about the piece and why its nostalgia for you!

As always, and especially if you are new to PWAS and/or are new to showing your art, here are some VERY important links to help you be successful as this is a juried art show.

Here Come the Judge - know what goes into the jurying process

Displaying Your Artwork - how PWAS artists are required to display art. A BIG reminder here is that at the ARTfactory, they hang artwork from the DRing, not from the actual wire! The artwork should still be wired though.

Call for Art - some very important reminders about Calls for Art.

Artwork Rejection - because as per usual, not all artwork can or should be accepted to show for many reasons. Read this to help offset your artwork from not getting in the show.

Do You Have Ideas to Share?

Drop a comment below and share any ideas about nostalgia themed artwork that may help other artists.

ALWAYS READ the Call for Art and know the minimum and maximum sizes and any other pertinent rules. There is contact info on the email for who to contact for more info...and it isn't me! 

Get to painting folks! 


Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art. 

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 (typically, but check the website in case of any changes).

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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