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Community Arts Center in Gloucester, Virginia

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Artist Feature: Jason Abbott & Jessica Belvin-Coker

In our Artist Feature for the month, we introduce you to two local artists who find their inspiration in the natural world. We decided to reach out to Jason Abbott and Jessica Belvin-Coker, for a quick “Q + A”, to find out a little bit more about them and to see if the current quarantine has changed their work in any way.

Meet Jason Abbott

Q: Can you describe your work in three words?

A: Natural, Fluid, Harmonious

Q: What type of work do you do and what kind of mediums do you use?

A: I focus mainly on landscapes in oils now.  Sometimes I use acrylics depending on my mood.  Most of my life I drew using graphite and ink. I would say the ink sketches are still where my heart is, but oils offer a challenge that I don’t feel I will ever be truly comfortable with.  There is always that desire to make a scene look more natural, more realistic, without being stoic and mechanical.

Q: Where do you draw most of your inspiration from?

A: I draw inspiration from the scenery around me.  We are so fortunate here in the Tidewater to experience a constant interplay of water, land, and sky.  I am also unashamedly inspired by other artists. I am keen to try and not copy an artist’s subject or style or technique, but when I see a work that really grabs me …. it’s hard not to incorporate a piece of that in my next attempt.

Q: Have you always been artistic?

A: I have always drawn and created.  As a child, I remember drawing pictures all the time.  It was how I dealt with sitting in class for 8 hours a day.  

I had the Childcraft series of books, if anyone remembers those, and my favorite one was the dark blue one entitled “Make and Do”, I believe.  It was full of arts and crafts, and my parents would try to accomodate my collection of materials needed to complete as many of the crafts in the book as I could.  

At a very young age I remember seeing Albrecht Durer’s wood prints and engravings and thinking that his work was as good as it could get.  “The Knight, Death, and the Devil” had me drawing nothing but pictures of devils and bat wings when I was 5 and 6 years old, thinking back it probably caused some concern for my parents.

Q: Did you grow up in a creative family? 

A: My parents were very creative.  My mother with the way she cooked and the sense of comedy that she instilled in us, and my father used his creativity in the remodeling of houses and an ability to fix anything and everything.  They are both two of the most self-reliant humans I’ve known, and I believe that is the essence of creativity.

Q: How did this influence you and your path in life?

A: Mainly by instilling the confidence in me that anything that someone else can do I could also do it, if I apply the work necessary.

Q: What has been the most challenging part of being an artist?

A: The most challenging part of being an artist for me is staying inspired.  It is rare that I want to paint. It is usually something that hits me out of the blue and I have to take advantage of that drive while it lasts.  Most of the time it is like trying to make yourself eat when you have no appetite.

Q: Has being in quarantine changed your work or the way that you work in any way?

A: The funny part of being in a “quarantined” state is that I have actually had more time than ever to paint and have not painted at all.   My wife asks me, “Why aren’t you painting? You have all this time…” I think that, like most people, the uncertainty and the unprecedented (at least in our lifetime) nature of this event has most of us in a level of anxiety that we’re not sure exactly how to cope with.  There is such a feeling of a suspended, limbo existence right now, I find it hard to incorporate something that it is so important to me.

Q: Where would you like to see your work go in the future?

A: I am really unsure of where I would like my art to go, other than to improve.  

The art that I have produced has never been an intellectual or planned pursuit.  I have seen some artists that develop a concept for their art, plan it, layout designs.  I have tried this, thinking that it is the “correct” way to create art. It never worked for me.  But who knows, it may be exactly what I need in order to grow as an artist.  

I would like to try sculpting.  The few times I have tried, it was very satisfying, but my family has to share our living room with me as my studio, so I think bringing in a table and clay may upset an already delicate balance.  One day.

To experience more of Jason’s work you can visit his website or follow him on Instagram (@jasonabbott.art) or Facebook


Meet Jessica Belvin-Coker

Q: Can you describe your work in three words?

A: Whimsical, lively, earthy. Those would probably be the first 3 drawn out of the pot.

Q:What type of work do you do and what kind of mediums do you use? 

A: My work mainly revolves around the natural world. I like to capture the scenes of our native wildlife and make it into something of my own, with an emphasis on natural history illustration. Watercolor is my one and only. I joke sometimes that watercolor chose me – I did not choose watercolor. I’m so glad that it did.

Juvenile Ospreys: 9×12 watercolor “This is actually from an Osprey nesting box my husband and his brother built a few years ago; right in Urbanna. They are a backyard species that returns every year to our creek. This is their hatch from the summer of 2018. I painted this from a reference photograph I took. It’s a real experience to watch Ospreys breed and return each year. A true staple of the Chesapeake Bay.”

Q: Where do you draw most of your inspiration from? 

A: Most of my inspiration comes from my own backyard. I grew up on the York River and all the secret creeks it holds. The woods, the water, and anything related to the amazing Chesapeake Bay has been my reason. I’m an avid birder and naturalist, so that pairs with the painting aspect. My inspirations started to blossom even more when I moved to Urbanna; nestled right along the Rappahannock River. The waterfowl here in the winter is truly amazing, especially spring migration with all the warblers and neotropical migrants passing through. This place has shaped me into the artist I am today. 

(Left: Star Crossed) “This is a 9×12 watercolor. This can be seen either as a Crow or Raven. Whatever you want to view it as! I used a lot of dark/light pigments to create iridescence, and a few brush techniques for the star-burst effect.” (Right: Red-Bellied Woodpeckers) “Two cute male and female Red-bellied Woodpeckers just hanging out and doing what they do! 9×12 watercolor. I had fun with my paint brush and color choices when creating the tree bark effect.”

Q: Have you always been artistic?

A: In some way or another, yes. When it came to painting and drawing…I had to find that side of me by complete accident. I did not know I could “draw” until I tried. I was completely shocked and amazed when I realized my hands, eyes, and brain were communicating in a way that was so foreign, but felt as if I’ve been doing it all along. That’s where it all began.

Q: Did you grow up in a creative family? 

A: Honestly, I might be the first painter from my small family!

Terns of the Chesapeake: “9×12 illustration of a few species of Terns that you would commonly see around our local rivers and creeks. I love shore birds, so this will always be a summer favorite for me.”

Q: What has been the most challenging part of being an artist?

A: Sharing my work has probably been the most challenging part. You create a piece of your soul, share it with the world and hope for the best. A lot of time and energy goes into one drawing or one painting. It’s so much more than putting color on paper, you really have to mentally prepare and work for it in other ways as well. I suppose fear of rejection almost stopped me from sharing. With time, I’ve slowly let go of that fear. 

Q: Has being in quarantine changed your work or the way that you work in any way?

A: 2020 has definitely been an interesting year. This quarantine has actually been positive. I have been able to slow down, re-evaluate and look at my process from a new perspective. I’ve actually started to work on new ideas and step out of my comfort zone. Watercolor is so fluid; there are so many things that can be done, so I’m tapping into my creative side again. I’m thankful for this step-back and being able to have an extended break on life to improve. I tell myself that there is always room to improve with  each day. 

(Left: Sleepy Screechies) “Eastern Screech Owls – (Red and Gray Morph) in tree hollow. 9×12 watercolor. This one features two Eastern Screech Owls sleeping in a cozy and warm tree hollow. It’s a very exciting thing when you can locate and watch them sleep. Especially when you can see each morph color. I kept a fluid background with warm, earthy colors.” (Right: Great Horned Owl) “9×12 watercolor featuring a fierce Great Horned Owl. I kept the realism very minimal in the body, but true to the face.”

Q: Where would you like to see your work go in the future?

A: I would truly love to illustrate and paint pieces for organizations that do a lot for our natural world. National Audubon Society, Ocean Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, VIMS, and The Chesapeake Bay Foundation are a few to name. I really want to inspire more individuals with my work, possibly spark an interest about the importance of biodiversity. I hope someone is able to get outside, explore and listen… and maybe, they will carry and pass the candle to someone else and so on. 

To experience more of Jessica’s work you can view her piece in our Juried Show exhibit page. You can also follow her on Instagram (@coastalvawild) to view her artwork/photographs and be updated on when her website launches.


Please note that the opinions expressed by the artists are their own, in their own words, and are not necessarily opinions expressed or shared by Arts On Main or its representatives.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: annual juried show, Gallery Artist, jason abbott, Jessica Belvin-Coker, juried show, Nature Artist, oil painting, plein air, Watercolor

Annual Juried Exhibition

In response to the developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Arts on Main has decided to cancel the Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony for the Annual Juried Show. However, Juror/Judge, Carrie Spencer, will still award first, second and third place prizes and make commentary on works. We will make artwork and images of the show available for viewing online and across our social media outlets. 

 

Join us for our Annual Juried Exhibition. Over 200 works were entered and judged by Carrie Spencer, Curator of Contemporary Art + Education at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens, with 45 pieces selected for the show. The winners will receive the following:

First Place – $1,000 + A Future Solo Show at Arts on Main

Second Place – $500

Third Place – $250

 

Exhibiting Artists include Sammy Anderson, Jack Banks, David Beeler, Jessica Belvin-Coker, Gulay Berryman, Mensah Bey, Yvonne Boone, James Bouie, Bob Carlson, Kacey Carneal, Jacquie Colligan, Carolyn Comras, Paula Dooley, Laurie Elder, Jordan Flower, Fred Freeman, Karen Freidt, Janet Griffin, Totter Hardy, Carol Joannette, James Warwick Jones, Jo Kennedy, Amy Lee, Charlotte McAdams, Jackie Merritt, Wade Mickley, Carolyn Miller, Rose Nygaard, Shelley O’Connor, Deidre Pistochini, Anna Raff, Mary Montague Sikes, Nancy Sowder, David Stifel, Theresa Wells Stifel, John Alan Stock, Brenda Sylvia, Nickolai Walko, and Victoria Watson.

Tagged With: annual juried show, carrie spencer, first friday, juried exhibition, juried show, open juried show

Call for Entries

Arts on Main invites artists of every medium and level  to submit up to three works of art for the Annual Juried Exhibition, opening March 6th, 2020. The exhibit will run through April, with the potential of a number of works being selected for our Annual “Art & Flowers” exhibition which celebrates the beauty of spring with live floral arrangements inspired by select works. Both exhibits will be on display during the Daffodil Festival, exposing the participating artists to over 20,000 visitors from across the Commonwealth and beyond.

Prizes

First Place: $1,000 and a future solo show at Arts on Main

Second Place: $500

Third Place: $250

Entry Eligibility

-Original works in any medium, both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional

-No size or subject constraints

-Artists aged 18 years or older

Entries

-Fill out one form for up to three pieces

-Include a digital image of each entry in jpg format, no less than 500K and not to exceed 2MB

-Digital images should be clearly labelled with your last name, first name and title. For example: SmithJane-EveningLandscape

-Online entries should be emailed to: assistantdirector@gloucesterarts.org

-Other entries should be mailed to 6580B Main Street, Gloucester, Virginia 23061 Attn: Saraya Cheney (those who mail their entry still need to submit their images via email)

Fees & Deadlines

-Early entry deadline is midnight on December 13th with an early entrance fee of $25/three entries, after this date the entry fee goes up to $35

-The final deadline for submissions is January 10th at midnight

-Accepted works should be delivered to Arts on Main on either March 3rd or 4th, between noon and 5pm

-Notification of acceptance into the show will be emailed no later than January 21st

Jury Process

-All artwork will be juried in digital format

-2-Dimensional artists may submit up to one photo per artwork

-3-Dimensional artists may submit up to two photos per entry

Sales

-Entries can be for sale or display only

-All work for sale must be priced to include the 30% commission to arts on Main or marked NFS (not for sale).

For any questions or concerns, please email: assistantdirector@gloucesterarts.org

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: arts on main, call for entries, juried show

2nd Annual Juried Show

Join us for our 2nd Annual Juried Art Show. Over 150 submissions were entered and judged by
Jennifer Morningstar, Gallery Manager of the Charles Taylor Visual Arts Center
with 58 pieces selected for the show. The winners will receive the following:
1st Place  – $300 plus a future Solo Show at Arts on Main
2nd Place – $200
3rd Place – $100
Selected artists and their works for the show are:

Allyson Childress- This Rose is For You & Shimmer
Annette Thompson – Infinite
Aprille Zammit – Grandparents & Girl in Field
Bob Carlson – Konza Prairie Trail & Arch Street Gallery Window
Coakley Brown – Sunrise at Windmill Point Marina
Caroline Garrett Hardy – Cat & Mouse and Fox & Fish
CarolAnne Taylor – Adrift and Fine Feathers Flying
Doris S. Roland – Sienna Mood and Out of Africa
Ellen Davidson – Working Late
Gudrun Kiel-Bullock – Mandi’s Toad
Jessica Belvin – The Big Migration
Jacquie Colligan – Unspoiled Universe
Janice Ducharme – Summer Reflections
Janet Griffin – Moonrise at Ware Landing & Ware River Sunset
Judy Mays – Entwined and Sweet Temptation
Joan Stewart – Experimental I
Joann Sybil Lawson – The Party’s Over & Brownlee’s Boots
James Warwick Jones – Hilton Village Snow, Workboat with Red Mast and Rudder & Stern Line
Kacey Carneal – Hello Grandmother Moon
Katherine Doyle – And Then We Danced
Kat Jamieson – Blue Archipelago
Kathleen Noffsinger – Latitude Attitude Deconstructed
Linda Tjossem – Cardinal in Blizzard
Linda Marshall – Study of Dog
Mary Ellis – Living on Higher Ground
Margaret Morris – Morgan & Friend and Point of Entry
Mel Neale – Great Blue Reflected & Trophy Wall
Paula Dooley – Tiger in Water & Came Owl
Peg Poole – All Three Works (There were no titles)
Quincy Gray McMichael – Travel & Climbing the Mountain
Rose Nygaard – Life Phases
Roy S. Geiger – Just a Dive Through the Park
Ron Taylor – Obstruction & Survivor
Rebecca West – Jabari
Sammy Anderson – Swag I
Sharon Beaver – Blue Floral
Shelley O’Connor – Inner Goddess
Sharon Parker – Jockey’s Ridge I
Trotter Hardy – Circular Reasoning
Theresa Wells Stifel – Constance

 

 

Something Different Duo, from Gloucester, VA. A quality easy-listening father /daughter duo of Brad Sindle & Ashley (Sindle) Wenner performing the classics from old jazz …

The opening is on April 5th from 6pm-8pm and is free and open to the public, with beer, wine and paninis available.

First Friday sponsored by Lynne Manning

Tagged With: art exhibit, arts on main, jennifer morningstar, juried show, open juried show, something different duo

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DECEMBER 2022:
Mary Morton Parsons Update

_______________________________

 

Your support guarantees a place for all to enjoy the arts in Gloucester, Virginia.
Become A Part of Arts on Main!

 

Download the 2021-2022 Annual Report

 

 

Betsy Henderson, Interim Executive Director
director@gloucesterarts.org
(804) 824-9464

Alisa Potter, Gallery Manager
gallerymanager@gloucesterarts.org
(804) 824-9464

Blair Waters, Programs and Marketing Manager
adminassistant@gloucesterarts.org
(804) 824-9464

Hanah Hailey, Gallery Coordinator
Communications@gloucesterarts.org
(804) 824-9464

Gallery Hours

Open Wednesday – Saturday
Noon – 5:00pm
Closed Sunday through Tuesday
Call: (804) 824-9464

Open Studio

Every Friday afternoon, 12pm-2pm!
Free & open to the public

Art Classes

Ongoing classes in all mediums for kids of all ages.
Art Class Registration Info

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for ways to volunteer in the community? Arts on Main has wonderful volunteers and would like you to join them. Email adminassistant@gloucesterarts.org or call the gallery for more information. 804.824.9464.

 

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Meet Dathan Kane, one of the artists featured in o Meet Dathan Kane, one of the artists featured in our Black History Month Exhibit!

Dathan Kane is a contemporary abstract painter and muralist currently based in Hampton Roads, Virginia. He received his BFA in Art & Design from Virginia State University in (2014) with a focus on illustration & painting. The theme of his work focuses on the constant duality of life’s  choices whether positive or negative. He uses bold – organic, black/white shapes to explore the complexities of life and to gain a sense of balance through artistic expression. Dathan Kane has worked with numerous galleries, collectors and city mural projects across the state of Virginia, Baltimore Maryland and throughout the country. His work is currently included in the collections of Dollar Tree, Work Programs Architects (WPA) at Assembly Norfolk VA , VMFA (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts) as well as other institutional spaces. His first international exhibition took place at the Sichuan Contemporary Institute in China (2017). Kane was recently selected to be a muralist for the RVA Street Mural Festival (2022) in Richmond VA, Three Notchd “Leave Your Mark!” Mural Festival (2022) in Richmond VA and has exhibited with the Chrysler Museum (Glass Studio) Gallery in Norfolk VA (2022). In addition, Kane completed a two week residency program in Baltimore via “Studio House” producing two murals curated by the CAN Foundation. He currently serves on the board of the Hermitage Museum in Norfolk, Virginia and works on the (CAN) exhibition team at the Contemporary Arts Network in Newport News, Virginia.

Find more of his work at http://www.dkaneart.com
Story Shields Workshop by Featured Artist, LaKaye Story Shields Workshop by Featured Artist, LaKaye Mbah (Ages: Middle School Students-Adult)

Saturday, February 18
1:00pm-4:00pm

Arts on Main is excited to host a workshop by one of our February Black History Month featured artists, LaKaye Mbah. During this workshop, we will build a visual language based on our shared experiences, as well as what makes us unique as individuals. Together, we will discuss West African textiles and the history behind the creation of Story Shields, develop a shared visual language for the workshop participants, create story shields based on our shared visual language, and apply finishing touches that make each story shield unique.

‼️Registration deadline is Thursday, February 16 by 5pm.‼️

Sign up here: https://gloucesterarts.org/event/story-shields-workshop-by-featured-artist-lakaye-mbah/
Meet Ray Johnson, one of the artists featured in o Meet Ray Johnson, one of the artists featured in our Black History Month Exhibit! 

“As an artist, I aspire to create art that is meaningful and emotional. My art engages representation of black beauty, strength and perseverance. With the influences of artist like Dr. Fahamu Pecou, Patrick Dougher and Clayton Singleton, I try to capture the power in what it means to be “black”. I want all people to be able to connect and relate to my work. But I particularly hope that people of color gain pride through the positive representation of the black men and woman that I create.

In my work I like to use men and woman of color to express the topics of love, struggle and togetherness. With acrylic and oil, my paintings of random nameless figures are full of emotion that come to life on canvas.” – Ray Johnson

@rayjohnsonart 

Find more of his work at https://artxrayjohnson.com
Beginners Watercolor Paint Night with Jan Finn-Duf Beginners Watercolor Paint Night with Jan Finn-Duffy: Sea Turtle 🐢

Friday, February 17
6:00pm – 8:00pm

Join watercolor artist Jan Finn-Duffy for a fun evening of mixing paint and water to create an original piece of art!  No skills are necessary when you arrive, but don’t be surprised if you have a few watercolor skills when you leave!  All supplies are provided by the instructor.  Just come to experience the joy and fun of painting!

Cost is $40 per person.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 15 by 5pm.

Sign up here: https://gloucesterarts.org/event/beginners-watercolor-paint-night-with-jan-finn-duffy-sea-turtle/
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Activities at Arts on Main are partially funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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