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.
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.
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.
July 11 – August 11: Photo18
The Berkeley Arts Council announces Photo18, its fifth annual juried Photography Exhibit. Juror Frank Herrera selected 26 images from 23 artists out of 108 images submitted. In addition to West Virginia, artists from nine other states are represented in the exhibit. There will be a reception and awards presentation on Sunday, July 15 from 2-4pm at the gallery at 116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg. Gallery hours are Wed-Fri 11-5, Sat 11-4. For a full list of the accepted artists visit berkeleyartswv.org/photo18/.
July 11-august 4: Watercolor Paintings by Charlie Mortensen
Berkeley Arts Council member Charlie Mortensen will present a selection of watercolor paintings in the Back Space Gallery at the Berkeley Art Works. He has been making art for more than 50 years. He studied art at the California College of Arts and Crafts and West Virginia University He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He presently lives and works at his home and studio along Opequon Creek in Berkeley County. Join us for a reception on Sunday, July 15 from 2-4pm. Gallery hours Wed-Fri 11-5, Sat 11-4.
“Crit Works” Exhibit opens June 13 at the Berkeley Art Works
Back Space Gallery Exhibit and Open Critique
Reception and Open Critique Session
Friday, June 15, 5-8pm
Five exhibiting regional artists who meet and critique works in progress twice monthly in a “Crit Group” setting are exhibiting recent paintings, banners, and photography at the Berkeley Art Works from June 13 through July 7.
Open Critique:
Doug Kinnett, Gary Bergel, Joy Bridy, Nancy Polo and Jason Care invite any local artist, working at any level from beginning to accomplished, who would desire to learn about and experience the process of critiquing a visual art work, 2-D or 3-D, to bring one or more pieces to the Reception and Open Critique Session Friday evening, June 15. This group follows the widely adopted model of critique developed by Edmund Burke Feldman – it is non-critical, objective, and encouraging, rather than critical, subjective and often discouraging. Practicing artists need the peer-support found in small groups. Come, learn of the “Feldman Method” and how “Crit Works.” Continue reading
“Fire in Many Forms” Pottery Exhibit Opens June 6
June 6 – July 7
Fire in Many Forms
The Berkeley Arts Council iannounces “Fire in Many Forms” on exhibit from June 6 through July 7 at the Berkeley Art Works Gallery, 116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg. The exhibit is curated by ceramic artist and Berkeley Art Works Co-op member Annette Verna.
The exhibit presents six ceramic artists, each working with different firing methods, including Raku, Salt, Soda, Wood, and Smoke firing. The artists’ kilns range from simple containers to more sophisticated gas and wood-fired kilns. While these atmospheric firings can be unpredictable, the pieces on display demonstrate the typical and fascinating characteristics of each type of firing and the mastery with which these artists work with fire. In contrast to the fired work, the show also features some unfired work.
The artists represented are all working ceramic artists hailing from our region of West Virginia, as well as New York State, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. The goals of the exhibit are to describe the artists’ diverse work and interests, and introduce the community to a variety of firing techniques. After visiting this show, you’ll leave with new thoughts about the many ways ceramic artists work in clay, and the knowledge to identify and appreciate these types of firings when you see them.
Meet the artists at an opening reception on Friday, June 8 from 5-7pm. Gallery hours are Wed-Fri 11-5, Sat 11-4.
Photo 18 Accepted Artists
The juror’s results are in. Frank Herrera selected 26 images from 23 artists out of 108 images submitted.
Here is Frank’s Juror’s statement:
Having taught photography for the past 50 years or so, I must have looked at millions of photographic images, mainly to determine how to best advise folks how they might improve their work. That advice can be sometimes technical, aesthetic, conceptual, or even spiritual. In jurying a contest like this, seeing work for the first time, absent a historical context, I try to encourage work which I think original, technically proficient, thoughtful , and capable of holding the viewer’s attention for more than a few seconds. I’m looking for new ideas , photos that push the boundaries. By that, I definitely do not mean using the latest APP –like one which automatically makes your snapshot look like a Van Gogh painting. Winnowing down an entry list of 108 down to 25 finalists is pretty brutal. I’ve always tried to encourage everybody who takes photography seriously enough to go to the trouble of presenting their work for scrutiny from me as well as the public, deserves recognition. I have participated in many juried shows over the years. Done well in some…In others, well, there’s always the next time. Don’t be discouraged.
Thanks to the BAC for the chance to participate. Lots of impressive work-thanks for making it hard to choose.
FPH
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