All Berkeley Arts Council classes and workshops are conducted via the Zoom application.  Pre-registration is required.  For the full schedule, information, materials lists, class prices, and to register, visit https://berkeleyartswv.org/instruction/#zoom.  Direct questions via e-mail to berkeleyartswv@gmail.com or call 304-620-7277. 

Summary of current offerings:

1. Beginning Watercolor Pencil:
   Fridays May 14, 21, 28, June 4; 2:00-4:00pm (Four Weeks)
2. The Art of Sketching Workshop:
   Tuesday, May 18, 2021 6:00-9:00pm (Three hours)
3. What to do with my background? Workshop:
   Tuesday, May 25, 2021 6:00-9:00pm (Three hours)
4. Beginning Watercolor Painting:
   Section 1 Thursdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 2021; 2:00-4:00pm (Four Weeks)
   Section 2 Wednesdays, June 9, 16, 23, 30; 6:30-8:30pm (Four Weeks)

Details:

Have you ever wanted to work with watercolor pencils?  “Beginning Watercolor Pencil Painting” is a 4-week class for students with little or no watercolor pencil experience, or those who want to expand their techniques.  Learn to lay down colors to create variations of hues and achieve different textures.  Watercolor pencils are easy to use when traveling, for journaling and sketching, for painting entire compositions, as well as many other applications.  A 4-week sessions is offered beginning May 14 from 2:00 to 4:00pm.

Judith will also be offering two 3-hour workshops in May.  “The Art of Sketching” will be held on Tuesday, May 18 from 6:00 to 9:00pm.  Learn the art of sketching with pencil and fine-tip markers.  Judith uses the principles of enhancing creativity using the right side of the brain, combined with solid, basic design to help students improve their drawing and sketching abilities.  Students will learn basic methods to improve drawing skills and sketch with confidence!  

“What to do with My Backgrounds?” will be held on Tuesday, May 25 from 6:00 to 9:00pm.  Are you puzzled when faced with decisions about how to treat the background in your compositions?  Learn a variety of approaches to dealing with backgrounds as well as how to choose the best solution for your design situation.  This workshop encourages participants to ask questions and show examples of their work that they feel need assistance to address the background.  Through interaction and class discussion, learn a variety of approaches to dealing with backgrounds as well as how to choose the best solution for your design situation. 

Coming in June …

“Beginning Watercolor Painting” will be a four week Zoom class on Thursdays, starting June 3 and there will be a second fur week section starting Wednesday, June 9. Pick the one that fits your schedule best. This is an interactive class with the instructor for those with little or no experience in painting with watercolors. Students will learn starting with the most essential basics and developing skills leading to accomplishing good watercolor painting techniques. 

Instructor Judith Becker is a professional artist with degrees in design and education.  She specializes in painting with colored pencil, pastel and watercolor.  She often combines media in her own work for unusual effects.  Judith’s deep knowledge of color, style, and technique will help you build on your current experience to progress in your artistic skills!

The Berkeley Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) non‐profit organization incorporated in West Virginia working to ensure that Berkeley County has a vibrant, vital arts environment by promoting awareness, understanding and appreciation of the literary, visual and performing arts in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.  The Berkeley Arts Council supports local and regional artists, brings quality arts experiences to the community, and provides a wide range of arts learning experiences for local residents, artists and artisans.

The Berkeley Arts Council announces the award winners for the 11th Annual Art & Earth Juried Exhibit.  The Council received 122 entries from 55 artists, from which the juror selected 47 works by 38 artists.  The following works were selected to receive awards:

• Best in Show – “Quiet Reflection”, photograph by Stephanie Boss, Hagerstown, MD
• Merit Award – “Garden of the Haves and Have-nots”, fiber art by Carol Williams, Shepherdstown, WV
• Merit Award – “Planet Earth”, mixed-media/painting by Amanda June, Old Forge, PA
• Honorable Mention – “Wash Your Hands and Wear Your Mask”, pastel by Patricia Wilt, Hyndman, PA
• Honorable Mention – “Heaven and Earth”, photograph by Mark Dierker, Dubuque, IA
• Honorable Mention – “I Put My Faith in Crows”, computer-generated images/painting by Jan Donley, Boston, MA
• Honorable Mention – “Rockin’ Desserts on Tray”, acrylic painted rocks by Lisa Mortensen, Martinsburg, WV

The works in the show represent a wide range from fine art drawings and paintings, to photography, digital and graphic arts, to contemporary applications of mixed media and assemblage, and finally craft media including glass, wood, metal, clay and fibers. A video presentation of the accepted works is now posted on the Berkeley Arts Council Web site, https://berkeleyartswv.org.  The video serves to introduce viewers to the work in the exhibit, but is not meant as a substitute for viewing the work in the gallery.  Please Note: The video is a large file and should be viewed over a Wi-Fi network connection to avoid excessive data use charges on your cellular account. 

Now in its 11th year, the annual Art & Earth exhibit is open to visual artists throughout the continental United States, working in any medium or technique, in 2- or 3-dimensions.  This year, 16 states are represented in the selected works, all of which are original works of art that reflect the artist’s view of nature, the environment, or reflect an Earth Day-related theme.  The exhibit runs through May 29 at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 N Queen Street, Martinsburg.  Gallery hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 11:00am to 5:00pm and Saturdays from 11:00am to 4:00pm.

The Berkeley Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) non‐profit organization incorporated in West Virginia working to ensure that Berkeley County has a vibrant, vital arts environment by promoting awareness, understanding and appreciation of the literary, visual and performing arts in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.  The Berkeley Arts Council supports local and regional artists, brings quality arts experiences to the community, and provides a wide range of arts learning experiences for local residents, artists and artisans.

The Berkeley Arts Council’s 11th Annual Art & Earth Juried Exhibit is open as of April 22 and will run through May 29 at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 N. Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV. The exhibit consists of 47 works by 38 artists. The works represent a wide range from fine art drawings and paintings, to photography, digital and graphic arts, to contemporary applications of mixed media and assemblage, and finally craft media including glass, wood, metal, clay and fibers. The Berkeley Art Works is open Thursdays and Fridays from 11:00am to 5:00pm and Saturdays from 11:00am to 4:00pm.

To view a short video presentation of the 47 accepted works, click on the image below. The video will introduce you to the work in the exhibit but it is not a substitute for the experience of seeing the work in-person if you can make it into the gallery.

(Turn your sound on to hear the music. Please Note: The video is a large file.  Unless your mobile device is on an unlimited data plan, you should use a Wi-Fi network connection to avoid excessive data use charges on your cellular account. )

The Berkeley Arts Council announces its May virtual class schedule with instructor Judith Becker.  Judith’s popular classes and workshops cover many art techniques to enhance the skills of beginners and experienced artists alike.

Have you ever wanted to work with watercolor pencils?  “Beginning Watercolor Pencil” is a 4-week class for students with little or no watercolor painting experience, or those who want to expand their techniques.  Learn to lay down colors to create variations of hues and achieve different textures.  Watercolor pencils are easy to use when traveling, for journaling and sketching, for painting entire compositions, as well as many other applications.  Two 4-week sessions are offered; choose the one that fits your schedule – beginning on May 5 from 6:30 to 8:30pm, or beginning May 14 from 2:00 to 4:00pm.

Judith will also be offering two 3-hour workshops in May.  “The Art of Sketching” will be held on Tuesday, May 18 from 6:00 to 9:00pm.  Learn the art of sketching with pencil and fine-tip markers.  Judith uses the principles of enhancing creativity using the right side of the brain, combined with solid, basic design to help students improve their drawing and sketching abilities.  Students will learn basic methods to improve drawing skills and sketch with confidence!  “What to do with My Backgrounds?” will be held on Tuesday, May 25 from 6:00 to 9:00pm.  Are you puzzled when faced with decisions about how to treat the background in your compositions?  Learn a variety of approaches to dealing with backgrounds as well as how to choose the best solution for your design situation.  This workshop encourages participants to ask questions and show examples of their work that they feel need assistance to address the background.  Through interaction and class discussion, learn a variety of approaches to dealing with backgrounds as well as how to choose the best solution for your design situation. 

Instructor Judith Becker is a professional artist with degrees in design and education.  She specializes in painting with colored pencil, pastel and watercolor.  She often combines media in her own work for unusual effects.  Judith’s deep knowledge of color, style, and technique will help you build on your current experience to progress in your artistic skills!

All Berkeley Arts Council classes and workshops are conducted via the Zoom application.  Pre-registration is required.  For the full schedule, information, materials lists, class prices, and to register, visit https://berkeleyartswv.org/instruction/#zoom.  Direct questions via e-mail to berkeleyartswv@gmail.com or call 304-620-7277. 

The Berkeley Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) non‐profit organization incorporated in West Virginia working to ensure that Berkeley County has a vibrant, vital arts environment by promoting awareness, understanding and appreciation of the literary, visual and performing arts in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.  The Berkeley Arts Council supports local and regional artists, brings quality arts experiences to the community, and provides a wide range of arts learning experiences for local residents, artists and artisans.

Celebrate youth and art and spring at the Berkeley Arts Council’s Youth Art and Young At Heart exhibit, which blends the art of kids with one who educates kids, and celebrates the youth in us all!  The exhibit features the artwork of the Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle’s Art Club, and the art and creative work of Mr. Joe Santoro, owner of Wonderment Puppet Theater and the Black Sheep Art Gallery.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle’s “Art Club” got its start in 2019.  Vanice Colas, the Jefferson County Unit Director would draw, color and paint with the kids.  “Since they were always asking me to teach them to draw, one of them suggested we start an art club,” she says.  “Kids use art to express themselves.  In the Art Club, we use art as a means to learn about culture, history, emotional learning, and of course – Art!”  During pre-Covid days, the kids went on art trips, participated in community art projects, and created individual artwork.  Since Covid, they’ve been unable to attend Art Club and they miss their fellow Art Club members.  “Several of them make art at home, but without the Club, they haven’t had ready access to paints, canvas and other supplies.”  

Joe Santoro is an art instructor at Hedgesville Elementary School.  He helps his students explore different types of materials and learn about various art media in imaginative but meaningful ways.  Joe uses many types of media in his own artwork, which includes paintings, illustrations and 3-D wall pieces.  As the proprietor of Wonderment Puppet Theater and Black Sheep Art Gallery, Joe puts a lot of creative energy into developing and producing his puppet shows.  Joe truly exists in a world of wonderment and his creative world can be experienced fully at his theater at 412 W King Street. 

This exhibit is a celebration of youth and art and the creative mind as our region wakes from a cold winter and warms into spring.  The pandemic of the past year has been a winter of sorts and as we emerge from it, hope is waiting to bloom.  Full of bright colors and good energy, the artworks on display will fill your heart with hope and the promise of spring!

Youth Art & Young At Heart is on display Friday, March 26 through Saturday, April 17 at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 N. Queen Street, Martinsburg.  Hours are Friday and Saturday March 26 and 27 from 11am to 3pm.  Beginning in April, hours at the Art Works are Thursdays and Fridays 11am to 5pm, and Saturdays 11am to 4pm.

Get ready to capture the colors of spring!

Brighten up your art skills with a colorful class from the Berkeley Arts Council with instructor Judith Becker.  Judith is a professional artist with degrees in design and education.  Her popular classes cover many art techniques to enhance the skills of beginners and experienced artists.  She specializes in painting with colored pencil, pastel and watercolor, and often mixes her media for unusual effects.  Judith’s deep knowledge of color, style, and technique will help you build on your current experience and progress in your artistic skills!

“Beginning Colored Pencil” starts April 6, from 2:00 to 4:00pm.  This 4-week class introduces beginners and those with experience to creating a painting with colored pencils.  Explore the many effects possible, including mixing colors, blending, and creating textures.  A variety of painting surfaces will be used and participants will create several small paintings.

Also in April Judith will offer a free workshop, “Introduction to Watercolor Pencil Painting.”  Choose your date and time on either Thursday, April 8 from 7pm to 8pm, or Friday, April 9 from 2pm to 3pm.  In this one-hour overview, Judith will demonstrate how to use watercolor pencils for creating paintings as well as how the pencils can be used to augment other mediums.  Watercolor pencils are very versatile – learn how they can be used for fine detail work as well as for covering large areas.

If you are interested in working more in-depth with watercolor pencils, take Judith’s 4 week class, “Beginning Watercolor Pencil”.  This class is appropriate for students who have no watercolor painting experience as well as those who paint with watercolors, but want to expand their techniques.  Learn to lay down colors to create variations of hues and achieve different textures.  Watercolor pencils are easy to use when traveling, for journaling, for making note cards, or when sketching as well as painting entire compositions.  Two four-week sections are offered beginning on May 5 from 6:30 to 8:30pm, or May 7 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

All Berkeley Arts Council classes and workshops are conducted via the Google Zoom application.  Pre-registration is required.  For the full schedule, information, materials lists, class prices, and to register, visit https://berkeleyartswv.org/instruction/#zoom.  Direct questions via e-mail to berkeleyartswv@gmail.com or call 304-620-7277.

The Berkeley Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) non‐profit organization incorporated in West Virginia working to ensure that Berkeley County has a vibrant, vital arts environment by promoting awareness, understanding and appreciation of the literary, visual and performing arts in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.  The Berkeley Arts Council supports local and regional artists, brings quality arts experiences to the community, and provides a wide range of arts learning experiences for local residents, artists and artisans.

Coming in March, “All About Color I” will be held on Wednesdays March 17, 24, 31, April 7 from 6:30-8:30pm.  This class is a comprehensive study of color and all its attributes necessary to producing outstanding 2-dimensional art.  Participants will learn about color theory, rules in using and mixing colors, using the color wheel, triads and tetrads, color in design, color schemes and much more.  Class is comprised of both lectures and hands-on exercises, and is useful for beginners as well as advanced artists.

“Creative Techniques for Painting Landscapes” will be offered on Thursdays, March 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 2:00-4:00pm.  Discover interesting, even unusual, ways to reinterpret a landscape photo.  Using the same reference photo for all four class sessions, participants will select exciting color schemes, redesign the composition through cropping and highlighting, eliminate uninteresting elements, change the focal point, and explore how to abstract the subject.

All classes will be offered via the Zoom application.  Pre-registration is required.  For more information, materials lists, class prices, and to register, visit https://berkeleyartswv.org/instruction/#zoom.  Due to the pandemic, the Council has suspended in-person classes.  Watch the Berkeley Arts Council Web site http://www.berkeleyartswv.org for more Zoom classes as they become available.  Direct questions via e-mail to berkeleyartswv@gmail.com or call 304-620-7277.

The Berkeley Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) non‐profit organization incorporated in West Virginia working to ensure that Berkeley County has a vibrant, vital arts environment by promoting awareness, understanding and appreciation of the literary, visual and performing arts in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.  The Berkeley Arts Council supports local and regional artists, brings quality arts experiences to the community, and provides a wide range of arts learning experiences for local residents, artists and artisans.

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