Post 566: PWAS Meeting Aug 25 7:30pm in Lake Ridge

PWAS Meeting Aug 25 7:30pm in Lake Ridge

Our Prince William Art Society monthly meeting is always on the 4th Monday of the month and most typically held at the Tall Oaks Community Building on the corner of Hedges Run and Cotton Mill Drive in Lake Ridge / Woodbridge, VA. The meetings often have a guest speaker giving a demo or program about various art topics, or meeting can be fun show and tells, art projects, or almost any thing else. I like to say, if you miss a meeting, you miss a lot!

 

Photo by Nico Knaack on Unsplash  

A Meeting for PWC Artists

On August 25 the Prince William Art Society will meet at 7:30 PM at the Lake Ridge Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA 22192. All members of the public are always invited to come and enjoy the free programs that begin the meetings. 

This month, members and guests are invited to bring and share art they have done or work they are in the process of completing. If you wish to come and see community artists' work, please do. If you would like support or feedback on your own work, if you are stuck and would like suggestions, or if you have completed a work you're pleased with or had a great deal of fun doing and would like to share it with a friendly group of like minded people, this is your opportunity. We hope to see you there! 

 https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/news-events 

What is PWAS?

Good question. With a good answer.

The Prince William Art Society is a nonprofit 501(c)3 art organization that began in 1971, making this group over 50 years old. We have a wide variety of artists from 18 and older, many working other jobs, some retired, some beginners, some have been making and creating all kinds of art for many years. You are VERY welcome to attend and see what we are up to - and join us in what we do!

At our meetings, we often make important announcements of upcoming artist opportunities that may benefit you as an artist. Often, you need to be there to hear about it! 

Learn more here https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/aboutus

Or here for the history https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2021/08/post-1-about-pwas-history-of-prince.html

Hey! Like, Follow, Share and be there! 

---

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

Post 565: Art at the Mill Fall Art Show with PWAS

Art at the Mill Fall Art Show with PWAS

Every year, artists in Virginia look forward to their local 'art season(s)' which are usually early spring and again in the fall up to Christmas. Artist's Inboxes fill with Calls for Art and they make the decisions on which shows will work for their schedules, their artworks, and agendas. The emails from Clark County for the biannual Art at the Mill Art Show held at the Burwell Morgan Mill are much anticipated by some of the members of the Prince William Art Society too!

 

Burwell Morgan Mill in Millwood, VA 

PWAS Members Entering AATM

You can search this blog for "Art at the Mill" and read the numerous blog posts and many pictures I've taken of this art show held in a LIVE working mill. 

It is an honor just to be accepted to show at the Mill and many of the PWAS members have urged other art group members that even if they don't enter the show, to at least go SEE it, for goodness sake! And they have the show twice a year, in the spring and again in the fall. Just think about this:

Art at the Mill juries in about 1,000 artworks from about 300 artists, for each show. 

This year's Fall Show begins on Saturday, September 20 and goes through Sunday, October 5, 2025. Their hours are Sundays through Fridays 12-5 and Saturdays 10-5. The artist's reception is Sunday, September 28, from 2-5. The address to plug into your GPS/Google Maps is 15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, VA. From Lakeridge, here in Woodbridge...that's about 57 miles and about 1 hour and 12 minutes to drive. 

"Over the river and through the woods, to Millwood, VA we go!"

Here are some PWAS members that will be trekking to Burwell Morgan to drop off their artworks soon. 

PWAS Member Mark Clifton

This will be Mark Clifton's first time showing at the Art at the Mill and 3 of his 5 were accepted. Congratulations Mark!

 

"Bluebells" - 9x11 oil pastel on Pastel mat - matted and framed 14x20 

 

"Little Barn" - 9x11 oil pastel on Pastel mat - matted and framed 14x20  

 

"In the Forest" - 24x30 oil on canvas - framed 32x38 

PWAS Member Donna Liguria

This is the first time I've had 4 of my 5 accepted, usually I get 3, sometimes only 2 in. I'm excited for this show!

 

"Art Delivery to the Mill", Acrylic on Stretched Canvas14x14x1.5  (unframed)

 

"Going For A Run", Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 16x20x1.5 (unframed)

"Ben's Chili Bowl in DC", Acrylic on Canvas 16x20 (Black Frame)

 

"Fall Up and Down", Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 8x8x1.5 (unframed)

PWAS Member Sandra McClelland Lewin

Sandra also had 4 of 5 accepted into the show!

 

"Owl in Oak Tree", Acrylic and Metallic Gold Ink 18"w x 24"h

 

"Bluejay in the Vineyard", Acrylic 20" w x 16" h 

 

"Mushroom #4", Acrylic 16"w x 12"h 

 

"Skull with Flowers", Acrylic 18.5 x 22.5 Framed 

PWAS Member Bettie Sperty

Bettie had a couple of paintings accepted to Art at the Mill too!

 

"Burn Baby, Burn",  Oil, 11x14”

 

"The Tiny House", Acrylic on wood, 6”x12" 

Congratulations too all!

And because Art at the Mill processes their art shows through ArtCall.org (https://artatthemillfall2025.artcall.org/), on the day of or just before, the art gallery online will become available online alphabetically by artists and you can literally watch almost live, as items sell for the duration of the show. Pretty cool, right. And sell - yes, a lot of art does sell. Let's hope our art does too!

Are you a PWAS Member that entered Art at the Mill for this Fall Show? Send me your info to add to this post!

---

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

Post 563: Art Show Themes That Make You Go Hmmm

Art Show Themes That Make You Go Hmmm

Calls for Art are interesting yet contemplative things for an artist. When a call for art shows up in your inbox or you see one in your social media, one of the first things you take note of is the title of the show. One of the next questions (for me at least), is where is it? This blog post looks at some of the perplexing art show themes, titles and other things where artists end up scratching their heads and going, "Hmmm". 

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Now, What Shall We Call Our Art Show?

I do realize of course that art galleries / art spaces need to name their upcoming scheduled art shows something. I could be wrong, but I'm thinking its more for the public's interest and promoting it than for the artist's sake except that how else are you going to refer to it? A call for art / art show name can make it appealing and a curiosity to the public and make it stand out, to even be a memorable event. Understood.

You can't very well name them "January", "February", "March", etc. for a lot of reasons. Many art shows don't sit in exactly those time frames either. So, what's in a name? I suppose a lot.

"Hey, do you remember that art show we did a couple of years ago called 'Coloring the County'?" - Yes, that name works better than saying, "Do you remember that art show we did in May 2022?" AND the name was pretty generic - a vague hint of submitting some colorful artwork... more or less.

And then there are the typical art show names, like "Art in Motion (insert whatever)...", "A Journey Through (insert whatever)...", and "Art Unleashed (insert whatever)...". Hmmmm. I'm thinking bicycling, traveling in my car, and freeing my canvases...

And THEN the questions that must be answered for you to figure out if you can enter the show:

1. Does the time frame work for me - from drop off/pickup and actual show dates?
2. Does the art I have fit the size or medium requirements they are asking for?
3. Does the location work for me - how far away is it? 

Yes, location. As in WHERE the heck IS IT? I come across a lot of art calls online BUT finding out what state or city or even the country the thing is in is absolutely missing. Put out a APB to find that art show! Very often I have to do an internet search to find out WHERE it is! Maybe its me, but I think that's an important thing to PUT ON THE ART CALL. Last I remember, the internet is global.

And finally...

What is the art theme, and what the heckles are they asking for? There are titles I have puzzled over definitely. I don't like the idea of submitting my art to the show and hoping it fits the puzzle.

Photo by Reid Naaykens on Unsplash

Hmmm. Google needs to come up with an art show app to decipher the names of art shows. Does anyone have an app for that?

Is the name actually the theme of art they want you to submit or it is just a generic name of the show? 

"April Showers Bring May Flowers" is rather obvious. "A Sense of Play - Young at Heart" would leave me baffled. Whimsical art maybe?

The art call should spell it all out for you - IN YOUR FACE! I'm talking neon light here in some fancy colors.

Like: 

"OPEN CALL - Landscape"

Ok easy enough there, they want landscapes. K.I.S.S.

"Call for Art Word and Image"

Also pretty easy, they want some kind of image and some text on the art in some manner. Whoever can mix that up in a meaningful and delightful way gets in I presume.

Befuddling Art Show Names 

I can't be the only one here...How many of you have read the title of the art show and thought, "What the heck are they asking for?" And they want you to write up a statement about the art that you submit for it! Including how your artwork reflects that theme. Hmmmm.

I did just come across an art call like this: "Call for Artists - Get ready for the biggest art show of the year! 8' x 8' Small Canvas Art Show". Do you see the problem with that one?

Even "Emerging Artists" shows - hey I'm still emerging. I haven't been doing art all that long. Or are they asking for the spring chickens here?

Sometimes you just must bring out the soapbox (maybe in this instance I should say the pochade box) and say a thing on your mind. Sure, it is good to have an interesting and appealing name for an art show's call for art. But I do like the clarity of a oh, they want THIS kind of art. Just hopefully, I have something that will fit the moniker.

I'd love to hear some art show names that have puzzled you as well. Drop a comment!

As a sidenote, check out this list 1,015 Memorable Exhibition Name Ideas to Spark Curiosity

 

This blog post was originally posted on Donna's Cave Painting Blog on July 1, 2025 by Donna Liguria.

---

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

Post 562: What PWAS Members Are Up to This Summer Part 2

What PWAS Members Are Up to This Summer Part 2

Here's another blog post from the Prince William Art Society members, where I ask a question and await to see who answers. The question posted was, "What have you been up to this summer so far?" I wondered and asked the members to send me what they've been up to, any new artwork, taking any classes, going somewhere for a vacation, or just plain taking a break. Let's have a look what the artist's days have been filled with.

See Part 1 of What PWAS Members Are Up to This Summer as well. 

PWAS Member Jennifer Batty

As July comes to an end I wonder myself where this summer has gone. I have not done much art these past few months, but rather spent time with family at the pool or beach. I have taken pictures and gathered a lot of memories to get me to next summer. I have tried my hand at perspective painting with architecture. A real challenge for me, however I feel I made progress from my last attempt. I also finished a painting that I started in the spring of a flower that my neighbor had grown. I am also including a watercolor picture I painted at a class I took at the beginning of summer.  That was just so much fun!! 

 

PWAS Member JJ Roberts

I've been working on a couple of paintings when I get time for I have been a  little busy. I have been giving classes on engraving to individual students, doing restoration work on firearms, and engraving on knives and firearms. Here are a few  silver point drawings and engraving on a Buck knife of birds of prey.

We all love seeing the art that our PWAS members are up to and get a glimpse into their lives and processes. Thank you to all that input into these 2 posts! Follow us to watch what's coming next!

PWAS Member Robert Mira

I continue to do daily sketches on my sketchbook and therefore learning to see things differently and getting better at line drawing.

We also visited the ArtFactory in Manassas and the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria.

Also took a trip to Richmond and visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts where they have the exhibition on Frida. That night they also had Jazz night at the museum which was an evening of music and art with lots of art enthusiasts.

Before summer ends we plan to visit the National Gallery of Art and The Phillip Collection in Washington, DC

Here are some photos from the VMFA.

 Thank you to everyone that participated! Looks like a great summer!

---

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

Post 561: After the Meeting, Guest Speaker Delwyn Elizabeth

After the Meeting, Guest Speaker Delwyn Elizabeth

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) has had some really great programs over the years at our monthly meetings. Monday, July 28, 2025 - on all kinds of art topics. We have had a artists demonstrating watercolor, acrylics, pastels, using Golden Art Products, art journaling, plein air painting, learned about photo art and digital art, packing for traveling, art business tips, made art with our friends. learned about art committees and commissions, learned more about each other, made "art reveal videos", had various art challenges, viewed monoprints being made, and awarded scholarships to name a few different topics. This past program was about hanging our art work in a local library.

Ever Hang Art in a Library?

PWAS, as a group, has hung art in several of our local libraries that have the space to do so. Namely, the Montclair Library and the Bull Run Library. But solo artists - if they have enough art to show in the space and it is approved, also can submit a form for processing. The wait varies per library as well as the available dates and space. Delwyn Elizabeth walked the PWAS members through the "how-tos" of applying.

If you would like to see a recap of past guest programs, do a search on the keyword "PWAS Meetings" and have a happy walk back in time! 

 

Emily Hawes introducing Delwyn Elizabeth 

 

Delwyn discussing how to apply and showing the space available at the Montclair Library.  

 

Montclair Library  5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA

Perhaps it is time you applied for a library show....(note to self too)

PWAS Meetings

PWAS holds our monthly meetings on the 4th Monday of the month, every month except in December. The meetings are typically held at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA which is on the corner of Hedges Run and Cotton Mill in the Lakeridge area. Hedges Run is right off of Old Bridge Road, where the Giant is. 

In December, we hold a member + one adult Christmas party with the date to be determined - and of course with so many very talented artists...we almost always have our own musicians as well. Talented people I tell ya! They paint, they draw, they sketch, they teach art. They make digital art, they photograph beauty. And on top of that, some of them make music too.

The artists cheer each others successes, and help when another artist has a question about art dilemmas they run into. We work together as a team at our art events and have fun in every way we can!

As you can see, miss a meeting and you miss a lot. Join PWAS today if you haven't already! 

---

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. 

Photos by Donna Liguria 

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

Post 590: Prince William Art Society Monthly Meeting July 28 7:30pm

Prince William Art Society Monthly Meeting July 28 7:30pm

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) has a monthly meeting held on the 4th Monday of the month and the public is welcome to attend to see what Prince William County's oldest art group has going on. Meetings can vary, but typically we have a guest speaker, possibly doing a demo, offering art tips on multiple art topics, and/or discussing their own art processes for their artwork.

 

Tall Oaks Community Building on the corner of Cotton Mill Drive and Hedges Run (just past where Giant is off Old Bridge Road) 

Senior Librarian Delwyn Elizabeth

On July 28th the Prince William Art Society will meet at the Tall Oaks Community Center (12298 Cotton Mill Dr., Woodbridge VA, 22192) at 7:30 PM for a general membership meeting. Meetings are free and open to the public who are invited to attend, and will begin with a program by a guest speaker. This month, Senior Librarian at the Montclair library, Delwyn Elizabeth, will share current information on the expanded exhibit space, plans for using this space to showcase local artists, and how to get your work exhibited. Come for this opportunity to hear updated information and ask questions.

 

Montclair Library 5049 Waterway Dr, Montclair, VA 22025

Come Join Us!

My fellow artists in Prince William County, come join us at our meeting, we have a lot of very interesting artist members and folks that just plain love art. You could be a part of us and our group!

---

Author: Emily Hawes

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