February 1 - 20: The Nature Photography of Bill and Linda Lane

    

  ALSO Featuring BARK DOGS photos by Peggy ChildressBarkley Beagle by Peggy Childress

Bill and Linda Lane are native Virginians who live in Montpelier, Virginia.  They are both published and have been conducting workshops together for over the past 18 years; ten of those years include workshops for the Commonwealth of Virginia as a way to help promote the state parks.  Through teaching they want to help make photography easy and fun while still learning to get that “WOW” image – “not by chance”.

Bill has over 30 years of experience in photography and has been featured in numerous publications, fund-raisers and competitions, as well as a featured speaker for various groups.  His photography took a giant leap after he won the Sierra Club’s National Photography Contest.

Learn more on their website www.lanephotoworkshops.com.

  Photos by Bill and Linda Lane

Virginia is for Lovers!   www.Virginia.org

March 2 - 31: "Love Our Critters" Original Art

 In celebration of our pets and other lovable critters everwhere, YOU are invited to the first LOVE OUR CRITTERS EXHIBITION AND FUNDRAISER!

Opening Reception/Silent Auction & Sale:

Sunday, March 11, 2-5 p.m.   JOIN IN THE FUN AND GO HOME WITH A CRITTER YOU WON'T HAVE TO FEED... A WORK OF ART!

A People’s Choice Award will be presented at 4:30 pm, one award to each of two categories in painting and photography.

Participating Artists:  Jane Bodnar, Julie Fisher, Willa Frayser, Helen George, Kim Harding, T.K. Harris, Ann Jackson, Earline Mitchell, Faye Mitchell, Tayloe Moore, Lois Shipley, Kay Shuster, Sue Simon, Thomas Smagala, Betsy Taylor, Alison Thomas, Debby Thomas, Margot Titmus, Nancy Tucker, Anne Twisdale, Shelley Whittington, Dennis Winston, Pat Wigfield, and Barbara Keating

20% of Proceeds will benefit The Montpelier Center, 20% of proceeds will benefit the Hanover Humane Society, both 501c3 non-profit organizations. Your donation is tax deductible as permitted by law.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SPONSORING THIS EVENT AS A BUSINESS OR INDIVIDUAL, PLEASE CALL ANN AT THE CENTER AT 804-883-7378.

ARTIST PROFILES:

Debby Thomas: A former horse trainer and riding, Debby now uses her intuitive sense for animals to portray their individual personalities through her artwork and photography.

 A lover of detail, her favorite mediums are photography, graphite and colored pencil, though she also enjoys painting with oils.  When not traveling to horse events, wildlife locations, and farms for equine portraits, she works from her home studio in Manakin-Sabot, VA.  For more information contact Debby Thomas Phone (804) 784-2690. Email tthomas222@comcast.net or visit www.AnimalArtAndPhotography.com.

Alison Thomas:  I am a quiet person.  I don’t play the role of activist well.  I can barely read the all too true stories of impending loss in the nature magazines today.  But I can do something.  I can record the beauty and possibly inspire those who can fight.  I can be a quiet background support with my art.  This also gives me a selfish reason to walk in the woods today, where I still can find peace and serenity. 

The majority of my images are based on photographs and then digitally manipulated using Photoshop and various filters to give a vision of the essence of a scene rather than an exact recoding of the scene.  Matted prints are printed on archival paper using long lasting pigment ink with acid-free mats and backing boards.  Framed prints are printed on fine art paper using long lasting pigment ink with 100% cotton rag mats and UV resistant glass.  I do all of my own printing, matting, and framing using archival methods.  AlisonT@SerenityScenes.com.  www.SerenityScenes.com, (407) 314-1516

Barbara Iobst:  Tinfoolery Recycled Tin Artwork

Tinfoolery pieces are made from tin containers that have held popcorn, candles, games, etc.  I do not paint the metal, but use what was printed on it.  Wire and metal brads hold the pieces together.  Tinfoolery grew out of wanting to work with what’s at hand.  To create something whimsical, I have cut into old sweaters, rugs, junk mail, yogurt tubs, copper drainpipes, and in this case, tin containers.  I’m spellbound by animals:  their colors, shapes, textures, beauty, humor.  I love how, as its eyes and snout appear, a tin creature comes alive.  I live in Richmond with my husband and family of animals.

Shelley Whittington:  After raising a family and a long hiatus from painting, I was in need of an artistic outlet. I found myself in front of my easel painting portraits of Box Turtles. I had been studying them and their demise here in central Virginia and learned that they needed an advocate.  The eastern Box Turtle is among the most colorful turtles in the world and one of Virginia's oldest residents. Although once common and easily found, the Box Turtle has suffered population reductions caused by numerous factors. Habitat destruction and roadways have contributed to the loss of many breeding populations. With the new perspective that I offer through my paintings of Box Turtles, I hope to impart the viewer with an appreciation for and better understanding of these amazing reptiles. Realistically enhanced earth tones and colors are my favorite, and help me express a turtle's viewpoint creatively.   I have since expanded my subject matter and enjoy painting pets and other animals that have a story to tell 

Tarangere, photo by Debby Thomas

"Spring!" by Shelley Whittington     "Pawlick", photo by Alison Thomas, "Bessie" Oil painting by Anne Twisdale  

April 1-23: A Selection of New Art Work by Students

by Jan Murrayby Janice Miller MEET THE ARTISTS AT AN OPENING RECEPTION:  Wednesday, April 4th, 5-7 p.m. in the Dance Studio

A selection of new art by adult artists who are mentored by Elizabeth "Betsy" Taylor at The Montpelier Center will be highlighted this month.  Betsy has been teaching and nurturing talents of all ages in Hanover County for her entire career and currently teaches at the Center weekly.  Artists include Janice Miller, Jan Murray, Faye Page, Ann Turner, Pat Wigfield, and Lou Wilder.

Polar Bear by Faye Page    

15th annual CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS

ATTENTION ARTISTS!!   CALL FOR ENTRY!!  DEADLINE: APRIL 2, 2012

NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION

VIRGINIA REGIONAL EXHIBITION

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION AND AWARDS RECEPTION: SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 6:30 PM

TO DOWNLOAD THE PROSPECTUS WITH ENTRY FORM, CLICK HERE.

July 3 - August 29: Barbara D. Jones: A Native Virginia Artist

Meet the artist at the free  OPENING RECEPTION: Sunday, July 8, 3-5 pm.Barbara Jones

This one-woman show will represent a range of paintings by the artist, and will also include an instructional series of paintings intended to interpret the creative process.

Living and working in rural Hanover County, Barbara Jones experiences daily the natural beauty of the Virginia countryside. The spatial relationships and endless color of the natural environment provide the inspiration for her work. Through careful observation of the woodlands and their interaction with the open fields and sky, she develops personal images on paper and canvas.

Using a smaller format than is often seen in contemporary works, she renders the familiar scenery of nature, capturing the essence of the rural setting. While Jones' work is representational, her approach to paint and surface is that of an abstract painter. Inspired by nature she works both directly on site and in her studio creating a feeling of location with color and light. The memory of a particular area becomes more important than painting a specific scene.

Her work is in numerous private collections in Virginia, South Carolina, Connecticut, Kobe, Japan; Devon, Great Britain; Milan and Tuscany, Italy; and in corporate collection in the Richmond, Phoenix, Arizona and Boston area.