Current Exhibits
For the month of April, the Petersburg Area Art League will feature shows in three separate spaces. In the Main Gallery, works by Richmond-based artists are displayed; the WestStar Members’ Gallery features the paintings of local artist Valerie Daniels; and in the upstairs Education Center, PAAL’s new wall mural will be unveiled. All three shows open Friday, April 12 as part of Friday for the Arts!
Downstairs in the Main Gallery, a group of Richmond-based illustrators are exhibitors in the “Across the Appomattox” show. Katie McBride, Mickael Broth, Tyler Thomas, Larry Laroca, James Callahan of Barf Comics, and El Kamino will display watercolors, canvas paintings, prints, illustrations, and more in the exhibit. These artists work in a variety of media, from skateboard design to murals to graffiti art to watercolor. “By working within the greater Richmond area artistic community, we’ve had a chance to get to know one another, and we’re very excited to bring our work together into one show,” explained artist Mickael Broth.
In the WestStar Members’ Gallery, local artist Valerie Daniels is exhibiting a show of her Americana art. “I enjoy painting scenes from all over the country, from different time periods and of different subjects,” explained Daniels. She recently won awards for two of her paintings: one of a farm scene in Albemarle County and another of a widow at her husband’s gravesite after the Civil War. A frequent exhibitor in juried art shows, Daniels will have approximately 25 paintings on display and available for purchase. In addition to being a member of PAAL, she is a member of the Petersburg Regional Art Center (where she runs Studio 216), The Artists Circle and the Chester Artists Association.
In the upstairs Education Center, a brand new mural will be unveiled. Completed over the course of a week in collaboration with local youth enrolled in PAAL’s Spring Break Art Camp, Richmond artists Robert Cataldo and Mickael Broth are leading the project. The two artists created a design as a framework for the kids to work within, but provided plenty of room for individual creativity and imagery. “We really love working with kids and helping them to bring their creativity and artistic imaginations to life on a huge mural,” said Cataldo. The mural is approximately 30 feet wide and 16 feet high.
The
Friday for the Arts! gallery shows start at 6 p.m. with light refreshments. Call 804-861-4611 for more information or visit
www.paalart.org. The Petersburg Area Art League is located at 7 East Old Street in Old Towne Petersburg.
Posted: April 3rd, 2013 under Current Exhibits.
For the month of March, the Petersburg Area Art League will feature shows in three separate galleries. In the Main Gallery, works by students at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School are displayed; the Members’ Gallery features Josette Brogran’s pastels; and in the upstairs Education Gallery, works from Virginia State University are displayed.
The Appomattox Regional Governor’s School Visual Arts Department is exhibiting in the PAAL gallery for the 8th year as part of their Student Spring Gala Exhibition. This year’s student show will feature recently produced, award-winning drawing, painting, graphic design, photography and sculpture. Opening in 1999, the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School is a public regional magnet high school in downtown Petersburg and is one of 18 Virginia Governor’s Schools. It draws approximately 350 students from 14 area localities.
In the Members’ Gallery, pastels by local Petersburg resident Josette Brogan are on display. Her exhibit includes a wide selection of smaller-format paintings (her largest is 16” x 20”) that focus on the tranquility of beautiful things in nature. “I strive the capture the beauty of natural objects as they exist, rather than imagined things,” said Brogran. A life-long admirer of pastels, she only began painting five years ago, and paints still life and landscape images on paper.
In the upstairs Education Gallery, a selection of two-dimensional works by art major students at Virginia State University will be on display. The exhibit will include works from students in mixed medium and landscape painting classes, as well as two-dimensional methods and materials classes, and printing-making classes.
The Friday for the Arts! gallery shows start at 6 p.m. with light refreshments. Call 804-861-4611 for more information or visit www.paalart.org. The Petersburg Area Art League is located at 7 East Old Street in Old Towne Petersburg.
Posted: March 7th, 2013 under Current Exhibits.
The Petersburg Area Art League will open the new year with an exhibit of paintings and painted objects from the collection of local resident Alexander C. “Sandy” Graham, Jr.
The sampling from the Graham collection is comprised mostly of American and European paintings executed between 1850 and 1930, as well as American folk art. The common theme in all the pieces on display is paint: from 17th century colored Dutch maps to 18th century engravings to a 20th century painting by Grandma Moses, the painted pieces illustrate different styles, techniques and subject matter.
The exhibit opens on January 11, 2013 for Friday for the Arts and runs through February 2. Petersburg Area Art League (PAAL) members are invited to a free gallery talk and private opening on Thursday, January 10. The public is invited to the opening on January 11 and to a free gallery talk by Mr. Graham on January 25 at 6 p.m.
Last year, Graham exhibited his first show at PAAL, “American Paintings (1840-1940),” arranged to highlight the evolution of American painting from early portraiture and Hudson River School examples to works completed shortly before World War II.
Graham began collecting fine art and folk art about 10 years ago to complement his collection of period American antique furniture. “Years ago, my mother criticized my home as looking like an antique shop – a clutter of brown furniture devoid of any art, porcelain or silver,” comments Graham. “She was right, of course, and I turned my attention to acquiring fine art for my high-style, period furniture and folk art pieces for my country furniture,” explains Graham. He goes on to joke that, “Today, my mother says that my rooms ‘look like a museum.’ It is not always easy to please your mother.”
The
Friday for the Arts! gallery shows start at 6 p.m. with light refreshments. Call 804-861-4611 for more information or visit
www.paalart.org. The Petersburg Area Art League is located at 7 East Old Street in Old Towne Petersburg.
Posted: January 8th, 2013 under Current Exhibits.
Petersburg, VA — In a tradition of more than thirty years, the Petersburg Area Art League (PAAL) is hosting one of its most popular exhibits: The Trees of Christmas. For this event, PAAL invites area schools, businesses and organizations to design and decorate a tree in the gallery space. While some trees are decorated in a traditional style, other trees are designed to creatively reflect the sponsoring business or organization.
“We are thrilled to welcome the businesses and organizations from the community to join in this exhibit, and we’re excited that this is one of the biggest Trees of Christmas exhibits in our history with well over 35 participating organizations,” said Garry Curtis, coordinator for the Trees of Christmas exhibit. “Not only is it a beautiful exhibit, but it’s a great opportunity to showcase all the artistic talent in our community,” added Curtis.
Interspersed between the trees will be holiday photos by John Rooney, Jr. Entitled “Christmas in Old Towne,” this collection captures beautiful holiday scenes from the streets of Old Towne.
The exhibit officially opens to the public at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 14 during Friday for the Arts. In addition to the Trees of Christmas exhibit, PAAL will also be hosting Santa Claus for the evening on Friday, December 14. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to meet with children and pictures will be available for purchase. Additional highlights for Friday evening include jewelry and accessories by Lady DiLisa available for purchase, with part of the proceeds benefiting PAAL.
The exhibit is free to the public and runs through January 1, 2013.
This year, 35 trees will be displayed in the downstairs gallery and the upstairs Education Center. The trees are designed by: the Petersburg High School Art Department, St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Kimberly Ann’s Petersburg Pickers, PAAL Summer Art Camp students, the Petersburg Tourism Department, Cockade City Camera Club, Rebuilding Together*Tri-cities, HCA Physician’s Services — Primary Health Group of Hopewell, The Law Office of Corine Bailey, StudioAmmons, Garry Curtis, PAAL Home School Art Class students, The Mosaic Marketplace, GYN Specialists of VA, Colonial Honda, Houchins Pest Control, Sycamore Rouge, Angel de Souza School of Dance, West End Christian School, Heretick Feed & Seed, Riggs and Co. Investment Management, Wanagi Jewelry, Appomattox Tile Art Company, Curl Up or Dye Salon, Second Hand Rose, the Petersburg Sheriff’s Department, Tantrum Tattoos, ARGS Art Club, Therapeutic Massage Center & Boutique, Joan Gardiner, Boulevard Flower Gardens, Swift Creek Woman’s Club and Saucy’s Walk-up BBQ.
The
Friday for the Arts! gallery shows start at 6 p.m. with light refreshments. Call 804-861-4611 for more information or visit
www.paalart.org.
Posted: December 5th, 2012 under Current Exhibits.
This month, the Petersburg Area Art League will feature two art exhibits during Friday for the Arts! night on November 9.
In the main downstairs gallery, PAAL will feature artwork by the faculty members of the Virginia State University Art and Design Department.
In the upstairs gallery, PAAL will host “Tweet for the Street,” a silent auction to benefit the Low Street Park Project. Low Street Park Project (LSPP) is an organization dedicated to enhancing our neighborhood park by adding a playground, walking path, butterfly garden, and space for free play at Low Street Park located at 339 Low Street. In essence, the LSPP is creating a space for kids to play safely, parents to meet and gather, and space for enjoying outdoors.
For the “Tweet for the Street” silent auction, each participating artist has created a variation of the Low Street Park Project logo and translated it to their medium of choice.
The “Tweet for the Street” silent auction will start at 6 p.m. and close at 9 p.m.
Participating artists include: Dolly Holmes, Mark Pehanic, Bobby Lynch, Barry Roebuck, Liz Saval, Elizabeth Thacker, Mary Kilmon, Ashley Barton, Cherry Turner, Elmo Tham, Denise Carrozza, Harrison Raven, Elizabeth McCormack, and Tom McCormack.
The Friday for the Arts! gallery shows start at 6 p.m. with light refreshments. Call 804-861-4611 for more information or visit www.paalart.org.
Posted: November 15th, 2012 under Current Exhibits.
As fall begins, the Petersburg Area Art League will feature two art exhibits during Friday for the Arts! night on October 12. Both of the exhibits run for the entire month of October.
In the main downstairs gallery, PAAL will feature e-art, an exhibition by renowned local artist Susan Brown. All of the paintings in the exhibit were created on Brown’s iPad. “When I purchased my first iPad in the Fall of 2011, it had been 20 years since I had done any painting. A couple of months later, I downloaded a painting application called, “Procreate” and began to work again,” explained Brown.
For Brown, painting on the iPad is very similar to painting on canvas. “I begin with a rough drawing, block in color, and proceed to gradually refine the image and add detail,” explained Brown.
The paintings in the e-art exhibit feature topics of quantum physics, religion, medicine and social issues such as water conservation.
Brown earned a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed a graduate fellowship with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, as well as doing two years of graduate work in printmaking at Virginia Commonwealth University. Brown was on the faculty of Richard Bland College and has exhibited in a number of museums including the following the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte, NC, and the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News.
In the upstairs gallery, PAAL will feature works by Elizabeth Longstreet-Titmus, winner of the Viewer’s Choice Award from the Members’ Miniature Show in June. Elizabeth is joined by fellow artists Joe Longstreet and Dennis Lock in this exhibition.
Elizabeth, a Sutherland resident, began painting six years ago when she retired from a local advertising agency. She initially learned to paint at PAAL though lessons with Carol Meese and has continued her artistic education at PAAL and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Elizabeth finds painting to be her most relaxing activity.
Elizabeth paints a wide variety of subjects – landscapes, still life, animals and portraits – in oils.
The Friday for the Arts! gallery shows start at 6 p.m. with light refreshments. Call 804-861-4611 for more information or visit www.paalart.org.
Posted: October 3rd, 2012 under Current Exhibits.
September Friday for the Arts! at PAAL Features Art, Photos and Jazz
The Petersburg Area Art League will feature two art exhibits and a musical concert in its outdoor Art Park for the September Friday for the Arts! night on September 14.
PAAL’s Art Park Summer Concert Series concludes with the fourth outdoor concert of the summer featuring the music of the award-winning jazz ensemble from the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School of Arts and Technology. “Pieces of the Puzzle” is composed of students from the surrounding districts and counties and has performed often in Richmond and beyond. The concert is free to the public and begins at 7 p.m. People should bring lawn chairs and blankets.
In the main downstairs gallery, PAAL will continue an exhibit of works by Bell Worsham, a nationally renowned artist originally from Petersburg. Bell Worsham was born in 1908 at her grandparents’ home on Petersburg’s Washington Street. She grew up in Richmond and became one of city’s best-known and most consistently active artists and art teachers.
Worsham showed her paintings widely, including at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and in shows at galleries in Pennsylvania, Florida, Washington, D.C., and New York. Her oil paintings, watercolors, and drawings are in many public and private collections, including Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Virginia, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and her murals were installed in several public buildings.
The work displayed at the Petersburg Area Art League is derived from a family collection, ranges from school work, academic still lifes, bold landscapes showing the influences of Grant Wood and Edward Hopper, plein-air watercolors of her family’s garden, pencil studies, formal portraits, and lithographs tinged with social realism.
Bell Worsham lived and painted most of her life in her family home in Richmond’s Ginter Park. Her last exhibition was a one-woman show of her latest work at the Petersburg Area Art League, held just before her death in 1989. The Bell Worsham Exhibit will be on display through the end of September.
In the upstairs gallery, PAAL will feature the opening of Cockade City Camera Club’s Best Shots, a collection of photographs by Petersburg’s own Camera Club.
The
Friday for the Arts! gallery shows start at 6 p.m. with light refreshments. The live music in the Art Park begins at 7 p.m. Food and beverages from a curbside vendor will be available for purchase. Call
804-861-4611 for more information or visit
www.paalart.org.
Posted: September 13th, 2012 under Current Exhibits.
The Petersburg Area Art League will feature two new art exhibits and a musical concert in the Art Park for the August Friday for the Arts! night on August 10.
In the main downstairs gallery, PAAL will open an exhibit of works by Bell Worsham, a nationally renowned artist originally from Petersburg. Bell Worsham was born in 1908 at her grandparents’ home on Petersburg’s Washington Street. She grew up in Richmond and became one of city’s best-known and most consistently active artists and art teachers.
Worsham showed her paintings widely, including at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and in shows at galleries in Pennsylvania, Florida, Washington, D.C., and New York. Her oil paintings, watercolors, and drawings are in many public and private collections, including Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Virginia, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and her murals were installed in several public buildings.
The work displayed at the Petersburg Area Art League is derived from a family collection, ranges from school work, academic still lifes, bold landscapes showing the influences of Grant Wood and Edward Hopper, plein-air watercolors of her family’s garden, pencil studies, formal portraits, and lithographs tinged with social realism.
Bell Worsham lived and painted most of her life in her family home in Richmond’s Ginter Park. Her last exhibition was a one-woman show of her latest work at the Petersburg Area Art League, held just before her death in 1989. The Bell Worsham Exhibit will be on display throughout the months of August and September.
In the upstairs gallery, PAAL will feature the art created by children in PAAL’s Summer Art Camp sessions (running in early August). More than 35 children are enrolled in the camps and will be proudly displaying their creations. The Summer Art Camp Exhibit is only displayed for the evening of Friday, August 10, when the works of art will be on sale for family members and the public to purchase.
PAAL’s Art Park Summer Concert Series continues with the third outdoor concert of the summer featuring the music of Petersburg-native Alison Self and Richmond-based Haints in the Holler.
Alison Self was born and raised in Petersburg and started playing roots music locally in house shows, mainstream venues and independent radio stations in Richmond. She’s collaborated and toured with New York and Pennsylvania based musicians over the past few years, and is currently back in Richmond playing both solo shows and sharing the stage with other roots musicians. For more information: www.alisonself.bandcamp.com
Haints in the Holler is a Richmond-based country / folk / bluegrass band with a host of sounds including washboard, drums, mandolin, autoharp, guitar and violin. Composed of primarily three musicians – Julie Storey, Dan Kelly, and Kensey Barker – Haints in the Holler recently started playing with additional musicians, and fellow band member Scott Hailey will join the group for the show on August 10 at PAAL. For more information: http://haintsintheholler.bandcamp.com
Posted: July 21st, 2012 under Concerts, Current Exhibits, Events.
This month’s Friday for the Arts! on July 13 will include live music and two separate art shows at the Petersburg Area Art League (PAAL).
The live music is part of PAAL’s Art Park Summer Concert Series and will feature the popular indie folk band Jonathan Vassar and The Speckled Bird. Based in Richmond, Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird has been performing since 2000, and the band has been at the forefront of Richmond’s quieter music scene for over five years.
The Speckled Bird uses delicate melody and vocal harmony to create rich sounds of acoustic and electric clarity to establish a setting for the songs to flourish within. The band is comprised of Jonathan Vassar (lead vocal, acoustic guitar and harmonica), Antonia Begonia (accordion, glockenspiel), Joshua Quarles (cello, clarinet, electric guitar) and Paul Watson (bass, cornet, melodica). More information about the band is available on its website: http://jonathanvassar.com/
The downstairs gallery will feature the continuation of the PAAL Members’ Miniature Show (in which each piece of artwork is no larger than 12 inches by 12 inches). There is a variety of art on display: mixed media, paintings, fabric art and photographs.
The upstairs gallery will feature a show with works of art created as part of a special senior citizen program facilitated by Art on Wheels. Art on Wheels brings comprehensive arts programming to communities with limited access to the arts. There are approximately 20 pieces of art on display, including oil pastels, silk paintings, mosaics, and more, created by local seniors.
Both gallery shows will be on display for the month of July.
The Friday for the Arts! gallery shows start at 6 p.m. with light refreshments. The live music in the Art Park begins at 7 p.m.
Posted: June 29th, 2012 under Concerts, Current Exhibits.
The Appomattox Regional Governor’s School Visual Arts Department presents the 7th Annual Student Spring Gala Exhibition in conjunction with Friday for the Arts on March 9, 2012 from 6-9pm. This year’s show will be on display in the downstairs main Gallery, and will feature recently produced, award-winning drawing, painting, graphic design, photography and sculpture.
Opening in 1999, the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School is a public regional magnet high school in downtown Petersburg and is one of 18 Virginia Governor’s Schools. It draws students from 14 localities: Chesterfield, Richmond, Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Prince George, Powhatan, Sussex, Surry, Charles City, Amelia, Southampton, and Franklin City. Currently the school serves approximately 350 students in grades 9-12.
This show is free and open to the public and will be on display till April 7th, 2012.
This event is part of:
Posted: March 8th, 2012 under Current Exhibits.
