The Berkeley Arts Council (BAC) announces Watercolor Expressions, a national juried exhibit, to be displayed at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg, WV from October 13 through November 13, 2021.

Eligibility – The exhibit is open to all artists throughout the continental United States, over the age of 18, working in any watercolor medium or technique, in 2- or 3-dimensions. Mixed media where watercolor is the primary medium is also welcome.

Entries – The theme for the exhibit is open. Work must be original, completed within the last three (3) years, and must not have been exhibited previously at the Berkeley Art Works. Two-dimensional work must not exceed 48 inches in width, including frame and must be equipped with wire, ready for hanging (no sawtooth or single loop hangers, please). Three-dimensional work must not exceed 72 inches in height and 36 inches in width or depth, and must be free-standing.

Juror – Lynn Ferris, AWS, NWS, TWSA is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. Her work was the subject of feature articles in Watercolor magazine and The Art of Watercolour and can be seen in the prestigious Splash series of books published by North Light. She has served as a judge for the Brevard Watercolor Society “A Splash of Watercolor” exhibit, The Miami Watercolor Society, The Mid-Southern Watercolorists, and numerous others. Her many awards include “Best of Show” in both the Florida Watercolor Society and Tallahassee Watercolor Society annual exhibits. She has been an award winner in The Artist’s Magazine All-Media competition. Look for Lynn’s instructional articles in the The Artist’s Magazine and Watercolor Artist. A sought-after instructor, Lynn teaches to sold out workshops both nationally and internationally.

Entry Fee – The entry fee for one or two works is $35. Additional works may be submitted for a fee of $10 for each additional work, up to a total of four works.

Awards – Best in Show, Merit Award and Honorable Mention. The projected prize fund for the exhibit is $1,000. Additional prizes may be determined by the number of entries.

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Deadline for Entries – Midnight Monday August 30, 2021

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The Berkeley Art Works is now open Wednesday to Saturday so we hope that if you live in the Eastern WV region, you will be able to drop by to see the work in this very interesting show in person. But if you live too far away to make it in to the gallery, we want to share the great work of the artists whose work was selected for this exhibit.

To view a short video presentation of the 32 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’s PHOTO 21 juried national photographic art exhibit is open and runs through July 3 at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 N. Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Friday, 11-5, Saturday 11-4.

It has been 3 years since the Berkeley Arts Council last held a show focusing solely on photographic art.  The exhibit call for artists was open to all artists throughout the continental United States, working in any photographic medium or technique, including digital, film, alternative, or antique photographic processes.  Two- and 3-dimensional work (where a photographic technique is used as the main medium) was included.  Our juror, Robert M. Hein, selected 32 works from a total of 70 entries by 27 artists.  The works selected are by artists residing in 10 states.  This exhibit includes a variety of techniques ranging from digital and film photography, inclusion of graphics, photo illustration, and mixed media.  There is a variety of printing techniques represented, using archival paper and inks, printing on metal, fabric and mounting on wood.

About the jurying process, Professor Hein noted “There was quite a wide variety of subject matter and approaches to the medium that I appreciated very much.  I found myself going back to particular images to make sure I was finding what I was looking for.  From my background in the education of photography, I’m always looking for technical achievements and the artist’s point of view – this helps me connect with the intentions of the work when at times I don’t know where the work may be originally ‘coming from’.  Searching for this is a pleasure when looking over such an event as [the Berkeley Arts Council has] gathered, I congratulate you on retaining such a wide berth of artistic output in the current state of photographic arts practice!”

The following photos were selected by our juror to receive awards:

Best in Show “Perish” by Gabrielle Flanary
Merit Award “Traces” by Margaret Clingan
Merit Award “Rabbit in Cornfield” by Lynne Breitfeller
Honorable Mention “Twilight on Botany Bay, SC” by Susan J. Mullins
Honorable Mention “Derek” by Peter Foiles
Honorable Mention “Closed Sign” by Karen Smith
Honorable Mention “American Dreams:  Store” by Sarah Haig

Congratulations to the winners and congratulations to all the participants on a really nice show!  The awards reception will be held on Saturday, June 26 at 2:00pm.  Be on the lookout for a Zoom link.

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 Painting:
   Section 1 Closed: 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:

“Beginning Watercolor Painting” will be a four week Zoom class on starting Wednesday, June 9. 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. 

More Information Click Here

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.