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Community Arts Center in Gloucester, Virginia

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November First Friday featuring 2021 Gloucester Arts Festival Winners: Daniel Robbins and John Brandon Sills

November First Friday
featuring
2021 Gloucester Arts Festival Winners: Daniel Robbins and John Brandon Sills
Friday, November 4
6:00pm-8:00pm

Sponsored by Gail & Rick Griffin

During the month of November, Arts on Main will be showcasing works by the winners of the 2021 Gloucester Arts Festival Winners: Daniel Robbins and John Brandon Sills. The opening of the show will take place at First Friday on Friday, November 4 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The show will remain in the gallery through Saturday, November 26.


 Daniel Robbins grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia and always wanted to create art. During grades 4-8 he was enrolled in the Old Donation Center for the Gifted and Talented, and in high school he continued his study of art at the Governor’s School for the Arts. He moved to Richmond, VA to study in the Communication Arts department at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), which is ranked as one of the top art schools in the country. While at VCU he received multiple awards for his artistic and academic achievement, including: Most Outstanding Junior and Senior in Communication Arts, Dean’s List, and a scholarship from the New York Society of Illustrators’ Student Competition.

After he received his B.F.A. in 2006, Daniel started to teach drawing and painting as an adjunct faculty member in the Communication Arts department at VCU. He has also exhibited his paintings in galleries in New York, Virginia, North Carolina, Charleston, Boston, Maryland, and Park City, Utah. Daniel has received numerous honors and awards including: Award of Excellence from the Portrait Society of America’s International Portrait Competition; Best in Show at the “Virginia Artists Juried Exhibition,” in Hampton, VA; Virginia’s Finest Artist at the “Boardwalk Art Festival,” in Virginia Beach, VA; Best in Show at the Gloucester Plein Air Festival and Richmond Plein Air Festival; Artist’s Choice Award at “Plein Air Easton; and he wrote “The Road Not Taken” for the Artists on Art publication. He was also named as one of “21 Under 31” artists to collect by Southwest Art Magazine and “10 Artists to Collect Now: The Emerging Plein Air Painters You Need to Know” by Plein Air Magazine. Daniel Robbins continues to live and work in Richmond, Virginia.

“I needed to get away. For the fist time in years I felt aimless in my artistic pursuits. I was giving everything I could to raising my one-and-a-half year old daughter and caring for my wife who suffered a debilitating pelvic fracture during childbirth. The plein air and observational paintings I had been making for the last ten years were no longer relevant to me. I had changed, and my roles as father and caretaker kept me at home and constantly busy. I couldn’t have successfully worked en plein air even if I wanted to – it was too calm, too grounded, and too logistically inconvenient.

I needed to go home. I needed to understand this journey I was on as a husband and father. My wife, daughter and I packed our bags and drove to my parent’s house near the ocean. I had recently made a few oil sketches at the beach that were exciting me, but I was looking for something else, something more. The first morning at my parents’ house
I woke up at 4:30am. I packed my camera and tripod and made the twenty-five minute commute to the oceanfront. The sun was just beginning to rise as I walked through the heavy dunes that lined the beach. Slowly the wooden boardwalk gave way to sand. I took off my shoes and felt the cool sand under my feet. I could see up and down the beach for miles. There was no one around. I was alone.

No trees, buildings or power lines cluttered or obstructed the perspective. I saw the horizon and looked into infinity. The wind pushed me sideways and peppered me with sand as the sun beckoned me forward. I could have stopped at any moment and basked in the incredible expanse of sky and clouds if not for the faint rumbling of the ocean. The thin strip of blue-gray swelled as I drew nearer. The waves smashed and crumbled into
one another as the wind scooped the foam and threw it around. Salt spray filled my lungs while the waves crashed and slid towards me. The sand was barely in view now, but glimpsed after each wave receded. The sun peaked over the clouds, just above the horizon, and I met its gaze. My vision was full. I took out my camera, opened the lens to its widest possible angle and hit “Record”.

I couldn’t wait to tell my wife and daughter what I had discovered. Through video, I could take that experience home and paint it without needing to stay on site. The sound and movement would add to my memory to provide a fuller picture. But that was merely
practical. I had wanted to get away so I returned to my childhood home. But as I stood on the beach staring at the spectacle of the sun, sky, and ocean I felt a separation, a longing. I wanted to pull it all towards me and wrap myself in it, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t get closer to the sun without being burned and couldn’t navigate the waves without being swallowed. I was as close as I could be. This realization turned me toward a rejuvenating light I could hold: my daughter. I was recharged.

It is difficult to describe the loss of experiential elements when viewing a personal, lived event – especially one that is transformational – through a screen. The recording feels thin compared to the exhilaration we experience in the moment. But without the recording we would only have our memories, which dim and lose nuance over time. And a recorded experience can be replayed countless times in order to prolong and further understand the moment of transformation. Prolong the memory in order to relive it. In my work I seek to understand this relationship.”


 

John Brandon Sills received his BA In Fine Art at Towson State University in 1984, while a student at Towson State John studied Renaissance Art in Florence, Italy. John then attended the Schuler School of Fine Art in Baltimore, Maryland, graduating in 1988. His paintings are in numerous collections in the United States as well as collections in Canada, England, France, Jamaica, Grand Cayman B.W.I. and Australia.

John has won many awards including First place in the 2010 and 2012 Have De Grace Plein Air Competition. First place in the 2013 Paint Annapolis Plein Air Competition. Best Painting by a Maryland Artist Award in the prestigious Plein Air Easton Competition in 2010 and 2012, Artist’s Choice Award in 2011 and in 2014 John was the Plein Air Easton Grand Prize winner. In addition, John received the Award of Excellence in the 2014 Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational. John was the 3rd place winner in the Plein Air Easton Competition. John paints nature in all its forms, choosing to emphasize those aspects that create an awareness of the environment.

John has won many awards including First place in the 2010 and 2012 Have De Grace Plein Air Competition. First place in the 2013 Paint Annapolis Plein Air Competition. Best Painting by a Maryland Artist Award in the prestigious Plein Air Easton Competition in 2010 and 2012, Artist’s Choice Award in 2011 and in 2014 John was the Plein Air Easton Grand Prize winner. In addition, John received the Award of Excellence in the 2014 Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational. John was the 3rd place winner in the Plein Air Easton Competition. John paints nature in all its forms, choosing to emphasize those aspects that create an awareness of the environment.

“Art is a spiritual experience expressed.

This is the essence of all of my painting; everything I do is intended to demonstrate this concept. We speak of an artist’s inspiration; well inspiration comes from the Latin “inspititus” which means “in the spirit”. I am trying to communicate a spiritual experience through painting. Art is not a “thing”, rather it is an experience that is expressed, that is “pushed out” in the physical as painting, sculpture, poetry, film, music, etc., so painting is not “Art” it is an expression of “Art”.

My painting, the landscapes in particular, are my attempt to communicate to the viewer my perception of the world around me, which I see as an expression of Divinity. Landscape, not as creation of God, rather as manifestation of God, I paint the face of the eternal. What I wish my painting to do is assist the viewer is expanding their own conception of the spiritual to include truths that at first seem impossible. As an artist I use everyday images to ask the question “What is Reality”. I put forth the conception that what we see is the facade of Reality, that Truth is an internal experience outwardly expressed.

When someone sees my paintings, I would like them to take these concepts and try to apply them to their own experience, so that when they see a beautiful landscape themselves maybe they too will see the face of God.”


Live music will be provided by Micah Foxx.

Micah Foxx is an American singer-songwriter based out of Coastal Virginia. Foxx is primarily known for his work in the folk, jam band and acoustic pop genres. In 2011, he achieved commercial success with the release of his debut album, Love. Foxx has performed solo and with his band, Crimson Foxx, at The Sandler Center, The National, Union Stage and The Tin Pan. 


First Friday is on November 4 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Thank you to our First Friday Sponsors, Gail & Rick Griffin!

Tagged With: arts on main, Daniel Robbins, Exhibit opening, first friday, gloucester, Gloucester arts festival, John Brandon Sills, oil painting, pen and ink, plein air, Plein Air Artist

Painting with Color and Expression: A 3-Day Painting Workshop with Plein Air Artist Lynn Mehta

Painting with Color and Expression: A 3-Day Painting Workshop with Plein Air Artist Lynn Mehta
Friday, March 25- Sunday, March 27
11:00am – 4:00pm
   

 

Learn how to bring color and expression into your representational paintings. Impressionist oil painter, Lynn Mehta, known for her paintings filled with color and paint, will teach students several approaches to create successful paintings. The class will consist of exercises in brushwork, palette knife work, compositional studies, and quick studies to loosen up. Lynn will be teaching and demonstrating in oils, but students are free to paint in acrylic if they prefer. Class will be held indoors. Students will paint from photos and still life. Students should bring their own supplies including easels.

A supply list will be provided upon registration.

Cost for the 3-day workshop is $310.



From the Artist

“It is important for me to create a painting which is interesting both up close and further away in order to engage the imagination. Inspiration is something which is honest to me and something which I believe makes a universal connection.”

“Color, composition, and paint handling are key elements in my paintings and tools for my expression. The fluidity and flexibility of oil paint is well-suited to my creative process. When I paint, I connect with changing light, the color of my surroundings, and movement. I focus on abstract shapes and forms creating a whole.

I live in Alexandria, Virginia, along the Potomac River which flows into the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. I grew up along the Pacific Ocean, in La Jolla, California and have painted as long as I can remember. I attribute my love of the outdoors and different places to childhood days at the beach, summer backpacking and camping trips, living in India when I was 10 years old, and miles of traveling. Both new and familiar landscapes inspire me. Beaches, cities, mountains, farms, rivers, deserts, docks trigger my imagination.”    -Lynn Mehta

Tagged With: arts on main, Lynn Mehta, oil painting class, painting workshop, plein air, Plein Air Artist

Painting with Color and Expression: A 3-Day Painting Workshop with Plein Air Artist Lynn Mehta

Painting with Color and Expression: A 3-Day Painting Workshop with Plein Air Artist Lynn Mehta
Friday, March 25- Sunday, March 27
11:00am – 4:00pm
   

 

Learn how to bring color and expression into your representational paintings. Impressionist oil painter, Lynn Mehta, known for her paintings filled with color and paint, will teach students several approaches to create successful paintings. The class will consist of exercises in brushwork, palette knife work, compositional studies, and quick studies to loosen up. Lynn will be teaching and demonstrating in oils, but students are free to paint in acrylic if they prefer. Class will be held indoors. Students will paint from photos and still life. Students should bring their own supplies including easels.

A supply list will be provided upon registration.

Cost for the 3-day workshop is $310.



From the Artist

“It is important for me to create a painting which is interesting both up close and further away in order to engage the imagination. Inspiration is something which is honest to me and something which I believe makes a universal connection.”

“Color, composition, and paint handling are key elements in my paintings and tools for my expression. The fluidity and flexibility of oil paint is well-suited to my creative process. When I paint, I connect with changing light, the color of my surroundings, and movement. I focus on abstract shapes and forms creating a whole.

I live in Alexandria, Virginia, along the Potomac River which flows into the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. I grew up along the Pacific Ocean, in La Jolla, California and have painted as long as I can remember. I attribute my love of the outdoors and different places to childhood days at the beach, summer backpacking and camping trips, living in India when I was 10 years old, and miles of traveling. Both new and familiar landscapes inspire me. Beaches, cities, mountains, farms, rivers, deserts, docks trigger my imagination.”    -Lynn Mehta

Tagged With: arts on main, Lynn Mehta, oil painting class, painting workshop, plein air, Plein Air Artist

Painting with Color and Expression: A 3-Day Painting Workshop with Plein Air Artist Lynn Mehta

Painting with Color and Expression: A 3-Day Painting Workshop with Plein Air Artist Lynn Mehta
Friday, March 25- Sunday, March 27
11:00am – 4:00pm
   

 

Learn how to bring color and expression into your representational paintings. Impressionist oil painter, Lynn Mehta, known for her paintings filled with color and paint, will teach students several approaches to create successful paintings. The class will consist of exercises in brushwork, palette knife work, compositional studies, and quick studies to loosen up. Lynn will be teaching and demonstrating in oils, but students are free to paint in acrylic if they prefer. Class will be held indoors. Students will paint from photos and still life. Students should bring their own supplies including easels.

A supply list will be provided upon registration.

Cost for the 3-day workshop is $310.



From the Artist

“It is important for me to create a painting which is interesting both up close and further away in order to engage the imagination. Inspiration is something which is honest to me and something which I believe makes a universal connection.”

“Color, composition, and paint handling are key elements in my paintings and tools for my expression. The fluidity and flexibility of oil paint is well-suited to my creative process. When I paint, I connect with changing light, the color of my surroundings, and movement. I focus on abstract shapes and forms creating a whole.

I live in Alexandria, Virginia, along the Potomac River which flows into the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. I grew up along the Pacific Ocean, in La Jolla, California and have painted as long as I can remember. I attribute my love of the outdoors and different places to childhood days at the beach, summer backpacking and camping trips, living in India when I was 10 years old, and miles of traveling. Both new and familiar landscapes inspire me. Beaches, cities, mountains, farms, rivers, deserts, docks trigger my imagination.”    -Lynn Mehta

Tagged With: arts on main, Lynn Mehta, oil painting class, painting workshop, plein air, Plein Air Artist

Plein Air Oil Painting Demonstration with Thomas Bradshaw

October 21

5:00-6:15

Join us for a demonstration by Artist in Residence, Thomas Bradshaw. Winner of the 2021 GAF Artists’ Choice Award, Thomas will share oil painting techniques.

Bradshaw’s loose painterly style allows him to imply detail without overstating it. His brushwork and use of a palette knife creates a textural impression which draws the viewer in for a closer look. With a limited palette, Bradshaw brings to life the way in which a shimmering light will illuminate the scene as a single moment in time.

This event will take place at Arts on Main in the main gallery and is free and open to the public.

Tagged With: artist in residence, arts on main, gallery demonstration, oil painting, painting demonstration, plein air, plein air art, plein air demonstration, Thomas Bradshaw

2-Day Plein Air Workshop Using Oils with Thomas Bradshaw

“LESS IS MORE”

October 30 & 31

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Winner of the 2021 GAF Artists’ Choice Award, Thomas Bradshaw will share his techniques for limiting color in order to force the painter to pay attention to color temperature. He’ll show students how color temperature will move the eye through their painting to tell a better story.

Starting each day at Arts On Main, the class will set up their easels outside for Plein Air painting in oil. Bradshaw will be giving individual guidance, as well as class instruction.

Supply list will be given upon registration.

Cost for the 2-Day workshop is $235 per student.

 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Plein air painter, Thomas Bradshaw, has been honing his painting skills since he was a small child, watching his grandmother create still life paintings in her basement studio. After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta with a degree in Graphic Design, he moved west to Jackson Hole, WY where his evolution into a plein air artist began to take shape.

Bradshaw’s loose painterly style allows him to imply detail without overstating it. His brushwork and use of a palette knife to create a textural impression which draws the viewer in for a closer look. With a limited palette, Bradshaw brings to life the way in which a shimmering light will illuminate the scene as a single moment in time.




Tagged With: arts on main, oil paint, oil Painting workshop, plein air, Plein Air Painting, plein air workshop, Thomas Bradshaw

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DECEMBER 2022:
Mary Morton Parsons Update

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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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3 Day Heirloom Collage & Mixed Media Exploration w 3 Day Heirloom Collage & Mixed Media Exploration with Theresa Wells Stifel

Wednesday, March 29 – Friday, March 31
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Create your own mixed media masterpieces using those little pieces of memories too precious to throw away! Your quirky snippets, papers, jewelry, fabric, or any small odds and ends can be layered to create a charming and personal piece of art. If you want to practice without worrying about ruining a special object, extra supply packets will be available to purchase for $5 a bag so you can play with a free spirit.

You will learn how to layer paint, paper, photos, trims, fabric and more.  We will learn different types of gluing, fusing and stitching methods to build interesting layers for your pieces. We will discuss and play with mark making, color, texture and pattern, answering questions along the way. Feel free to email the instructor with any questions: theresa@stifelandcapra.com

Cost of the 3 day class is $215.00 per student.

Registration deadline is Saturday, March 25 by 5pm.

Sign up here: https://gloucesterarts.org/event/3-day-heirloom-collage-mixed-media-exploration-with-theresa-wells-stifel/
Adult Paper Flower Class with Ronda Bowden: Daffod Adult Paper Flower Class with Ronda Bowden: Daffodil

Tuesday, April 11
6:00pm-8:00pm

Paper flower artist, Ronda Bowden will teach you techniques to create realistic and whimsical flowers with paper. Each week will feature a different flower. During this class, students will learn how to create daffodils.

Cost of each class is $30 per student (includes the cost of supplies).

Sign up here: https://gloucesterarts.org/event/adult-paper-flower-class-with-ronda-bowden-daffodil/
Critique Sessions March 28 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Critique Sessions
March 28 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Crit Sessions are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Show your current work to get a critique. Are you stuck in the middle of a painting? Would fresh eyes help? Do you want to learn more about composition or color balancing? We help each other improve. Offered both in-person and via Zoom.

Email: Kathy Klein at kgklein46@gmail.com to sign up and get on the email reminder list.
10am – 12pm, Free
New work by Robert Schuler! “My paintings prima New work by Robert Schuler!

“My paintings primarily reflect regional splendors and rural landscapes. I especially enjoy painting Watermen and their old workboats, Skipjacks in particular.  My affinity for the watermen, their environment and their work are very inspiring to me.  I am inspired by rural old things, buildings that are crooked, Victorian homes, and old work boats with rust…they all capture my attention. I also enjoy capturing portraits of cherished homes and beloved pets in watercolor.  When showing my artwork, I like to feel the viewer’s connection to the art. Their feedback, familiarity or memories of the subject I’ve painted fill in the details for me and makes the piece even more interesting. It gives more meaning to the painting. I find great pleasure in establishing an interaction with the viewers of my work.” Medium: Acrylic, Oil, & Watercolor
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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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