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.