Post 350: Great Find Video - 5 Art Exhibition Tips...

Great Find Video - 5 Art Exhibition Tips That Can Help You Be Successful

If you haven't come across Rafi Was Here Studios on YouTube, you've been missing out. He is a fun artist to subscribe to and you'll get some great tips from. Here Rafi tells his top 5 tips when having an art show.

 

 

Photo by Justyn Warner on Unsplash

Rafi's Suggestions for Success

Watch the video here but I have some notes below...

 

 

 

1. Story, have a theme when selecting your artwork for the venue with diverse pricing

2. Transportation - think of easy ways to get the stuff there

3. Promotion - you're not having a show if you don't promote it in every way possible

4. Impression of the show itself tells a story - a beginning, a middle and an end.

5. BE BOLD, have fun - you're an artist, be weird

Or click the link here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjDmABwlwOE

Do you have anything you would add?

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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.

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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!

Post 349: PWAS Spotlight Artist Bettie Sperty

PWAS Spotlight Artist

The Artistry Spin Blog has started a series for Prince William Art Society (PWAS) members called "Spotlight Artists", where those artists that want to be featured will submit a prearranged template for posting here and spread on our PWAS social media sites.

This week's featured PWAS Spotlight Artist...

Bettie Sperty

Date: 5/11/2023

Artist Style: Realistic, Whimsical, Trompe L'oeil

Artist Mediums: Acrylic, Oil, Pen & Ink, Colored Pencils, and Pottery

 

Artist Bio:

Bettie Sperty is a local artist living in Manassas, Virginia - in Prince William County.

Her style runs from the fun, colorful and whimsical to the fine detail of Tromp L’oeil. She enjoys working in a variety of mediums, which include acrylics, oils, pen and ink, colored pencil and clay. Most of her pottery pieces are hand built and showcase her attention to detail.

Most of Bettie’s artwork showcases her attention to fine detail. And it seems that her paintings and her pottery pieces will usually have some type of shine or sparkle. It may be a touch of metallic foils, color shifting paints, fine glitter or even minute gems.

In her own words she says, “I don’t hope to change the world or make a social or political statement with my artwork. My goal is simply to enjoy what I am doing and create something for others to enjoy, as well. Hopefully I will make your eyes happy, touch your heart or make you wonder with my art”.

Artist’s Awards:

Bettie Sperty has won awards in galleries in Maryland and Virginia including the Torpedo Factory, the Lorton Workhouse and local Prince William County art galleries. Her artwork is held in private collections all across the United States.

She has had her work shown at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, The Lorton Workhouse, Creative Brush Studio in Manassas, The Martha Spak Gallery at the Wharf in Washington, D.C., the Capital One Gallery and Artful Dimensions in Fredericksburg. Bettie has also participated in various shows at wineries, libraries and various government buildings.

Artist PWAS Member Since:

Bettie Sperty has been an active member of PWAS an Manassas Art Guild (MAG) for approximately 5 years (around 2018). Previously she was also a member of a gallery at The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.

Artist's URL: https://www.bsperty.com

Artist’s Social Media:

Facebook: Bettie Sperty, Artist

Instagram: Bettie Sperty Art

Artist's Contact: bsperty@comcast.net

 

 

 

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Author/Artist/Photographer: Bettie Sperty

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.

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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!

Post 348: PWAS Group Something to Think About

PWAS Group - Something to Think About - Your Board Members

As in any art group, there comes a time when you will need to start thinking about the future. I mean the near future. At the end of this year, November - December 2023, we will be voting for the PWAS Executive Board, all officer positions. That's right, the PWAS President on down. And these Board members are all volunteer positions held for two years, as they are in many non-profit 501(c)(3) art groups. Who will step up to the plate for these important positions to help guide and direct our artistic journey? Who can be engaged, who has the necessary energy and enthusiasm as well as time to be a part of a functional Board?

What Does it Take to be on the Board?

Our last election for the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) was in December 2021, and since then, PWAS has grown. At that time, we had around 30-40 members, a different, smaller gallery, and a smattering of annual art shows. Since we began at Open Space Arts Gallery at Stonebridge, we have climbed to well over 100 members, but with the typical fluctuations and for various reasons in January 2023, our membership dropped. As of May 10, 2023, we are back to 93 members and climbing rapidly. We are not your mamma's art group anymore! 

The times have changed, some would say art is changing, but the Prince William Art Society is and can be a major part of being a huge art voice in Prince William County - across every corner of it. We need members with the vision, inspiration, energy, necessary skill sets, and courage to be effective leaders for the group. We need people that have an understanding of the PWAS mission and leadership skills toward growth, delegation of activities and optimization of the talent within the membership.

With a larger membership body, we need, well, MORE. More art opportunities. More member engagement. More county-wide impact. More thought outside and off canvas (or outside the box).

The group will need to look within ourselves and our members and start considering who will make great candidates for each of these Executive Board officers. Your day-time job (or a previous job) might just make you the resource needed!   

Executive Board Officers:

President: Chairs the Executive Board and presides at all meetings of the society. The President shall convene at least 6 Executive Board Meetings each year. Prepares agendas for all general membership meetings and Executive Board meetings: delegates responsibilities and assigns tasks to Executive Board members; monitors status and completion of those tasks, provides signature on legal documents; serves as liaison between public, other organizations, and the Society. Coordinates functions with other offices.

Vice President: Acts as the assistant to the President and fulfills the duties of the President in her/his absence. The Vice President acts as liaison with Committee Chairpersons, and with society members.  

Secretary: Records minutes and attendees of executive Board Meetings, and general membership meetings. In addition, the Secretary takes care of correspondence as requested by the Board. The Secretary should maintain a current copy of the by-laws with any amendments noted and any special rules adopted by the organization.

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive all Society funds, deposit them in a Virginia bank and pay all bills out of this account. The Treasurer shall present a brief report at each meeting of the Society Revenues and Expenses. The Treasurer should assist in preparing for the Annual Budget. Among other duties are renewal of the yearly Corporation license, the Liability Insurance and the renewal of dues to Prince William Art Council. Maintains an inventory list and location of all Society property.

Member-at-Large: The Member-at-Large should be elected by the members to represent their interest at the Executive Board level.

PWCAC Liason: Prince William County Arts Council Representative attends meetings and reports to the Board

Above from the blog post "Joining Your Local Art Group"

And there are other positions/committees that are unfilled that should be that are not voted on. You can be a part of the history of the PWAS organization by considering not only the part you can play but electing other members to fill these important positions.

True, some of our members have stepped in and filled some Board positions after others have stepped down, and/or are moving away, but the positions will still need to be voted on come November/December. January 1, 2024 is the start date for the 2024 - 2026 Executive Board.

Soon, we will also be voting on some updates to our By-Laws as well. So the time is here, my fellow PWAS members, to begin thinking about our future. Are you willing to step up?

For Further Reading - some of these articles are about other art forms, but that makes no difference: 

• 10 Reasons to Join an Arts Organization Board
  
• Creating a Five-Star Board in the Arts and Culture Sector
• Arts and Culture Leadership: Four Action Steps to Create a Stronger Board
• Conflict Between Arts Groups and Their Boards at the Heart of Recent Turmoil 
  
• Nonprofit Arts Organization Boards: An Epilogue
• A great board of directors can make or break a nonprofit. Here's how to build one

Reference Artistry Spin Blog Posts

PWAS: New Board of Directors for PWAS

Joining Your Local Art Group(s), Benefits of Volunteering

If you find other articles of interest, please drop a link in the comments below and let us know what makes it good reading too.

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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.

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Local Art Group: 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 join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

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

Post 347: Spring Tall Oaks Art Show by the Prince William Art Society

Spring Tall Oaks Art Show by the Prince William Art Society

There are certain art shows that the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) faithfully hold every year, and in this case, twice a year. The annual Spring Tall Oaks Show was this past Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the Tall Oaks Community Center on the corner of Hedges Run and Cotton Mill Drive in Woodbridge, Virginia. And the weather was beautiful for this show!

Local Artists Right in Your Neighborhood

PWAS is an art group that's been in Prince William County for 52 years, did you know that? There is a lot of wonderful talent in the group with very diverse styles. We had about 10 members at this Spring art show. And we will be back in the fall, around the beginning of October - so keep a look out for us. We love talking with our visitors!

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cr5wCVbPyqf/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

 

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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.

Photography/Video Credits: Donna Liguria

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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!

Post 346: Open Space Arts Gallery Art Reception - A HUGE Success

Open Space Arts Gallery Art Reception - A HUGE Success

Saturday, May 6, 2023 Open Space Arts at Stonebridge. The art reception for the kickoff of the Open Space Arts Gallery art show called "April Showers Bring May Flowers" was held. I do not know if anyone got a head count but there were a LOT of people there as you will see in the photos below.

Art Gallery in Woodbridge, Virginia

15000 #140 Potomac Town, Woodbridge, Virginia

This month's art show features 50 local artists with several hundred pieces of artwork - and it is ALL ABOUT FLOWERS! Flowers in every size, color - paintings, digital art, mixed media and abstracts.

Have you been to Open Space Arts yet? Why not? In the past year, we've had a LOT of great art on display for you to browse at your leisure each month, and you are very welcome to come by and see it. Open Space Arts (OSA) Gallery is FREE to visit and enjoy. We've even had school art classes have field trips visit. Artists create the art for you to ENJOY!

The art is for sale, art prints as well, and we appreciate your support of local PWC artists. But your enjoyment of the art is first and foremost.

And for most of our art shows, we have an art reception for you to come and meet the artists that have created the art, with some refreshments offered to help in the mixing and mingling. Now, let's have a look at Saturday's art reception...

All Photos by Otis Stanley unless otherwise noted. Click on photo for a larger view.

 

April Showers Bring May Flowers definitely came true for this art show beginning on May 3 and running until June 18

 

 

Art Reception Cake

 

Arts Recreation Specialist Herb Williams and artist Sandra McClelland Lewin

 

Artist Susan Furr

 

Local Florist

 

Flowers!

 

Artist Kelly Haneklau

 

Artist Evelyn Chatters

 

Artist Connie Huebner

 

 

We're having a party!

 

 

Going to an art reception affords the guests the ability to actually meet the artist(s) that created the art and ask questions about what they have created.

 

Open Space Arts has now expanded the ability for artists to display art prints too. We have 3 print stands of art, with many prints of the artwork currently on display. It the original work is beyond a budget and you love it, an art print is the next best thing.

Another fun thing at the art reception - the Selfie Wall! I hope you got a great selfie.

 

Artist Donna Liguria. Photo Helen Burroughs

 

Artist Evelyn Chatters. Photo Donna Liguria

 

Artist Helen Joyce Burroughs. Photo Donna Liguria

If you have ever thrown a party, you know the deal - a lot of work goes into it. From the planning, delegating, shopping, preparing, gathering, problem-solving, cleaning, set-up, execution, over-seeing, and then the cleaning once again when its all over. Hopefully, the behind the scenes folks actually find the time somewhere in there to actually enjoy it!... I'm sure they do, and it is so satisfying to know that all that work is appreciated. Another AWESOME Art Reception, Team!

  

"No Show without the Business" by Otis Stanley. Michelle Baker, Susan Furr and Tony Muller pre-art reception.

And the next art reception?...Coming soon. See you at the gallery!

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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.

Photography/Video Credits: 

Otis Stanley, Donna Liguria, Helen Joyce Burroughs

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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!