The common element of successful arts communities is an independent umbrella organization that supports an organized, active, and broadly cooperative arts community. The Berkeley County Arts Council was formed in 2009 to provide unified communication, promotion, support and advocacy for the arts community in Berkeley County, West Virginia.
Veterans Vernacular 2018 Art Exhibit
October 10 through November 11, 2018
100th Anniversary of Armistice Day
Reception: November 11, 3:00-5:00 PM
Berkeley Arts Works, 116 N. Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401
Hours: Wed-Thu-Fri 11-4, Sat 11-5
The Berkeley Arts Council has mounted a unique mixed media exhibition by regional U.S. Military Veterans to commemorate this year’s 100th Anniversary of the 1918 Armistice that ended World War I. The 13 veteran artists included are or were part of the Healing Arts Center and Recreational Therapy programs at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV. The exhibit is curated by Berkeley Arts Council artist Gary Bergel.
A “Meet Your Veterans” Reception will close this special commemorative exhibit on Sunday, November 11, from 3:00-5:00 PM. All are cordially invited to attend and greet the following veteran artists who have graciously contributed art works to this Armistice Anniversary exhibition:
Abu-Farruk Azhar, Preston Brown, Chris Chambers, Bob Hamill, Christopher Houck, James Jackson, Anthony Jones, Shawn Jordan, Jose Miranda , Howard Johnson, Doug Shuttlesburg, Johnny Williams. Paintings by Michael Smith, deceased, are also included in tribute to him and his service.
Media included in the exhibit span oil and acrylic painting, mixed media, painted ceramics, photography, wood working, and memorial walking sticks honoring fallen comrades.
BACKGROUND: There is an increasing awareness and appreciation for the therapeutic and healing possibilities found in creative human self-expression. Berkeley County, West Virginia, is fortunate to be home to a VA Medical Center with some of the most vibrant and effective art therapy and recreational therapy programs in the nation – evidenced by the Martinsburg Center’s winning entries in the annual National Veterans Creative Arts and Crafts Competition.
“VERNACULAR” is a relatively new term that museum directors and visual art curators give to human creative work done for therapeutic, healing, and restorative reasons. It’s also sometimes called folk art, self-taught, naïve art, outsider, or outlier art. The creators may or may not be engaged with the professional, academic, or commercial art world.
Berkeley Arts Council – We Amplify the Arts
Accepted Artists: Eastern WV Juried Exhibit
Congratulations to the accepted artists in the Sixth Annual Eastern West Virginia Juried Art Exhibit. Juror Gary Bergel selected 31 works out of more than 60 submitted. Gary writes:
Viewing more than 60 works submitted by Eastern West Virginia artists was a delightful and rewarding summer experience. I gained a deeper appreciation for the wide spectrum of innovative visual art being produced in this region. As a multidisciplinary “teaching artist” I have a “broad eye.” I let it come into play. After an initial viewing of the work submitted, I rejoiced. I saw that it would be possible to not only curate an exhibit of strong works, but also to include a broad selection of quality work – to be more inclusive than exclusive – of artists, media, imagery, styles, approaches and expressions.
I then spent some hours with the submitted works – comparing between multiple entries, enlarging and studying detail and technique. I am thankful that the quality of most of the digital images permitted such scrutiny – and enjoyment.
After considering the strength of each piece in terms of originality, impact and appeal, proficiency with the medium, and technical skill, I selected 26 two dimensional and five three dimensional works, each of which I believe has merit to “stand on its own.” Gallery space parameters prevented the inclusion of more than one work by a number of artists.
This Eastern West Virginia 2018 exhibition exhibits “you!” It ranges from folk and detailed representational work, to surreal fantasy and social comment, a bit of portraiture, bold pure abstraction, and delightful mixed media assemblage. Painting and graphic media include oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, woodblock printing, and digital electronic. Non-utilitarian wood and clay sculpture is represented. Photography spans both black and white and color.
I look forward to meeting you at the Reception and Awards Presentation on Sunday, September 9 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. Hopefully you will be able to attend, mingle with your gifted peers, and return to your studio encouraged and inspired to “create more.” Thank you for investing your time, talent and resources to demonstrate that the Arts are alive and flourishing in the Eastern Panhandle.
Gary Bergel
The exhibit will be on display September 5 – October 6 at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg. Gallery hours are Wed-Fri, 11-5, Sat 11-4.
There will be a reception and awards presentation on Sunday, September 9 from 2-4pm at the Berkeley Art Works.
The full list of accepted work is after the break.
Boys and Girls Club Photography at the Berkeley Art Works
August 15 – September 1, 2018
Celebrate Youthful Creativity
2018 Boys and Girls Club
Photography Competition
Berkeley Art Works
116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg
Hours Wed-Fri 11-5, Sat 11-4
We’ve Got Your Art Class!
We’ve got your art class!
The Berkeley Arts Council is offering a great selection of new art classes along with some favorites.
Judith Becker is back with introductory classes in pastels, wastercolor, and color pencil along with the always popular “Continuing Improvement” open studio sessions and several more specialized offerings.
New Teaching Artist David Heatwole is offering classes in oil painting and other media, Bob Howard offers beginning acrylic painting, and Lori Thompson will present a new class on visual journaling.
The class location is at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg.
If the registration links in the email do not work for you, please visit our web site at https://berkeleyartswv.org/instruction/.
Introduction to Oil Painting
Wednesdays August 22, 29, September 5, 12, 19, 26; 8:30-11:30am (Six Weeks)
Instructor: David Heatwole
This is a a Beginning/Intermediate level class for individuals who may have wanted to paint but were not sure where to start. You will learn the basic techniques using oil paints. The instructor will take you step by step through a series of painting exercises that will build your skill level and confidence. You will also learn about the fundamentals of color mixing and application.
Beginning/Intermediate Oil Painting studio.
Thursdays August 23, 30, September 6, 13, 20, 27; 8:30-11:30am (Six Weeks)
Instructor: David Heatwole
It is advised that students take the Introduction to Oil Painting class if you are new to the medium. This class is for brushing up on the basics and on rusty skills. Explore more with color and develop your personal style. Work at your own pace with individual instruction in this open studio format class. Over 6 weeks, you’ll learn with the help of in-class demonstrations and one-on-one advice from the instructor. Bring paints, brushes and painting surface to first class.
Intermediate/Advanced Painting studio.
Thursdays August 23, 30, September 6, 13, 20, 27; 12:30-3:30pm (Six Weeks)
Instructor: David Heatwole
Understand more about the process of painting while developing a personal style. Work with painting medium of choice. Work at your own pace with individual instruction in this open studio format class. Over 6 weeks, you’ll learn with the help of in-class demonstrations and one-on-one advice from the instructor. Bring paints, brushes and painting surface to the first class.
September, 2018
David Heatwole to Exhibit in the Back Space Gallery
Paintings by David Heatwole
August 8 – September 1
The Berkeley Art Works Back Space Gallery presents a variety of drawings and oil paintings by David F. Heatwole, a 11th generation artisan and resident of Martinsburg. The work on display includes energetic still-life drawings, traditional paintings, work with a symbolic messages, and almost surreal landscapes. David says his work is “food for the brain – mental yoga.” He is also our newest Teaching Artist. You can see the class listings at https://berkeleyartswv.org/instruction/
The Berkeley Art Works is located at 116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg. Gallery hours are Wed-Fre 11-5, Sat 11-4.
BAC Adds Oil Painting with David Heatwole to Art Instruction Curriculum
Registration is open for Berkeley Arts Council’s upcoming classes and workshops, including new offerings in Oil Painting, studio-style classes, and a Printmaking workshop. Location is the Berkeley Art Works classroom at 116 North Queen Street in downtown Martinsburg.
David Heatwole will be the instructor for Introduction to Oil Painting, starting August 22 for six weeks. The Wednesday morning sessions are ideal for homeschoolers from middle to high school ages. Following on Thursday mornings is an Oil Painting Studio, to encourage beginners and intermediate painters who wish to brush up or build on their painting experience. Also, intermediate and advanced painters have their opportunity on Thursday afternoons. Painters using other media can also benefit from the coaching and practice offered.
On August 4, a workshop in basic Printmaking brings Bob Howard to the Art Works classroom to present and demonstrate basic techniques that produce prints using common materials. Students will produce a monoprint to take home. Hours for Saturday are 10 am to 3 pm with a lunch break.
Full descriptions and online registration are available on the website: berkeleyartswv.org/instruction or in person at the Berkeley Art Works, open Wed.-Fri. 11 – 5 and Sat. 11-4.
Deadline Extended Call for Artists: Sixth Annual Eastern West Virginia Juried Exhibit
The Berkeley Arts Council in Martinsburg, West Virginia announces the Sixth Annual Eastern West Virginia Juried Exhibit, to be displayed in the Berkeley Art Works Gallery, 116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg, WV. The exhibition will be on display September 5 – October 6, 2018.
