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.

pinterest-site-verification=3ad32cc9cfeae507ba5a382d62fcee17

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.

pinterest-site-verification=3ad32cc9cfeae507ba5a382d62fcee17