To view a short video presentation of the 21 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 juror’s selections are in for the Watercolor Expressions national juried exhibit and we are pleased to announce the accepted artists. There were a total of 63 works submitted by 26 artists in 9 states. The juror, Lynn Ferris, selected 32 works by 23 artists.
Juror’s Statement
“Watercolor Expressions” 2021
While judging this show I was inspired by the creative energy, the many points of view, creative techniques, and insightful observations of the artists. There were more award worthy paintings than awards, making my decisions exciting but also difficult.
As a judge, the first thing I look for is a painting that is compelling; one that draws me in. It may be a powerful design, a quiet voice, or sheer observation of beauty. Sometimes it’s a sense of place, an emotion, or a unique vision. Sometimes it’s an intriguing narrative. In other words, a strong painting has a point of view. Technical accomplishment is important, but it’s not the sole goal. It provides the language to tell the story, but it is not the story.
Thank you to everyone who participated and thank you for having me as your judge.
Happy Painting!
Lynn Ferris, AWS, NWS, TWSA
The exhibit will be open beginning Wednesday, October 13 through Saturday, November 20. Awards will be announced and a virtual awards presentation will be scheduled while the exhibit is in the gallery. You will be notified when the date is set, and a Zoom link will be sent out closer to the event.
| First Name | Last Name | Title |
| Ronda | Albright | Lenten Rose |
| Ronda | Albright | Rose in Blue Vase |
| Teresa | Anderson | Cold Creek |
| Belinda | Botzong | Crocosmia Biochrome Watercolor Impressions |
| Mary Alice | Bowers | Floral |
| Jessica | Buckholtz | Picked Flower |
| Shannon | Cronin | Self |
| Shannon | Cronin | Luna |
| Shannon | Cronin | Change of Plans |
| Jane | deGruchy | Savannah Sun |
| Michael | Gouker | New Mexico River Stones |
| Steve | Griggs | Tuesday Morning in Crested Butte |
| Steve | Griggs | Time for a Ride |
| John | Grinstead | Wheat Field |
| Richard | Hagerty | Dance of the Unicorn |
| Bro | Halff | Curve by the Ocean, Poipu, Kaua’i |
| Kathleen | Jamieson | Shooting Star Over Bioluninescent Sea |
| Kathleen | Jamieson | Color Imagination II |
| Sonja | Jones | Little Falls |
| Nancy | Kautz | Hollyhocks |
| Kitty | Messner | German Window |
| Lannie | Mullenax | Blue Ridge |
| Tom | Nebel | Walkersville Farm |
| Jes | Reger Davis | Flutter |
| Jes | Reger Davis | Feelin’ Blue |
| Ray | Snouffer | Sunning |
| Ray | Snouffer | A Burst of Light |
| Ray | Snouffer | A Hint of Autumn |
| Glenn | Tomlinson | Precious Little |
| Monica | Wilkins | In the Rough |
| Patricia | Wilt | New Neighbors |
| Patricia | Wilt | Driving Home |
Please click through for the important information below regarding the shipping/delivery of accepted work.
The Berkeley Arts Council announces the opening of the The 9th Annual Eastern West Virginia Juried Exhibit, on display September 1 through October 9 at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 North Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV. The gallery is open every Wednesday – Friday 11am to 5pm and Saturday 11am to 4pm.
This annual juried exhibit focuses on artists who reside any of the eight counties that comprise the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. This year, 48 works were submitted, primarily from Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties, from which 21 were selected in drawing, painting, photography, fibers, glass, mixed media, and assemblage.
The award winners for the exhibit are: Tracey Donnelly Franklin of Shepherdstown – the Best of Show for her photograph, Dreamer and Jeanne Marie McClure of Kearneysville – the Merit Award for her watercolor, 17 Years to Light. Honorable Mentions are given to Heather Hendry of Bunker Hill for her pastel drawing, Spring; Tom Nebel of Shepherdstown for his oil painting, Windswept; and Carol Williams of Shepherdstown for her fabric/mixed media piece, Mourning in America.
The juror for the exhibit was Ally Christmas, a visual artist living and working in Shepherdstown, WV, where she teaches lens-based arts and coordinates the Photo Bachelor of Fine Arts program at Shepherd University. Much of her work revolves around notions of selfhood, virtuality, and lived experience. Her hybrid practice involves a number of forms including digital video, still photography, tintypes, palladium prints, bookmaking, gifs, cinemagraphs, and installation. Her work has been shown at a variety of venues in the U.S. and Canada. Ms. Christmas earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from the University of Virginia. In 2018 she received a Master of Fine Arts in Photo/Video from the University of Georgia, after which she spent two years teaching video art and photography courses at Grinnell College as the Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Video and New Media. About the show, Ms. Christmas said, “It was truly a pleasure to see such a wide variety of works from this community. I found it quite difficult to narrow down the selections as there was so much talent present throughout the entries. Ultimately, I honed in on threads of commonality that led to the final grouping of works. After a year that has felt like 5 years, I found myself gravitating towards the pieces that invoked either a sense of peacefulness or a sense of whimsy – perhaps surreality or wonder, too. When brought together, these artworks may provide an escape from our harsh reality and offer some respite, no matter how brief. They are needed.”
For more information about the Berkeley Arts Council and the Berkeley Art Works, visit us on the Web at https://berkeleyartswv.org, on Facebook at BerkeleyArtsWV and on Instagram @berkeleyartscouncil_wv.
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.
Starting in September, the Berkeley Arts Council is offering art classes in-person at the Berkeley Art Works and via the Google Zoom application. Are you looking for something new to do this fall? Are you looking to broaden your techniques, learn a new medium, or work in another dimension? The fall session begins September 7! These classes offer a variety of media and will appeal to a range of ages and experiences.
Acrylic Paint and Palette Knife Technique is designed to help make a personal statement in your art. Express emotions boldly and fearlessly, and open the door to mixing colors with great texture. Using a palette knife, learn how the movement of the wrist will execute movement on the canvas or any surface on which you choose to work. Bring a reference photograph or picture for inspiration. This class will be held in person for four weeks on Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30am, beginning September 7.
The Creative You! is the first of a series of workshops exploring different styles of creating art projects in 3-dimensions. In this exciting class, the instructor will guide students in defining and planning creative ideas and building their ideas in 3-D! Participants will start creating using cardboard, and progress to making an abstract face, a marble maze, a pinball machine and a full head mask ready for any occasion. Bring your ideas and get ready to exercise those creative muscles! No prior art experience is necessary. Designed for anyone ages 15 and older who wants to explore the possibilities of The Creative You! Class will be held in person for four weeks on Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm, beginning September 21.
Creative Landscape Painting – Give your landscape painting that WOW factor! Working from a single landscape reference photo, the instructor will present different approaches to painting your landscape scene with vastly different results. This is a unique way to push your art into new dimensions, all the while learning composition and color theory beyond the usual. Surprise yourself with new abilities to advance your artistic expertise. Two sessions are being offered: in person for four weeks on Wednesdays, 3:00-5:00pm, and via Zoom for four weeks on Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm. Both sessions begin September 22.
Making Clay Tiles (Tessellations) – Students will make plaster molds and learn to make different types of clay tiles. This class is being offered in two sessions: in-person for four weeks on Thursdays, 2:00-4:00pm, and via Zoom for four weeks on Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm. Both sessions begin September 23.
Printmaking with Mixed Media – Print, the mark left on a surface by pressure: the footprint on a beach, the imprint of a leaf, or texture of weathered wood. The making of a print can be achieved by a wide variety of methods. Making a permanent record of an object, and making a series of line impressions that differ in color or surface texture is only part of the intriguing craft of the printmaker! This 6-week class will be held via Zoom on Saturdays, 9:00-11:00am, starting October 16.
Become a Color Pro focuses on all of the features, benefits and nuances of the primary colors. Each week, participants will delve into the commonly known hues in each color family, starting with the reds, then the blues, and then the yellows; with the last class to focus on grays and blacks. This class will give participants a firm foundation for determining which hue in a color family to use to get a specific effect. Simple exercises will be presented for each color family and participants can use most any medium: watercolor, acrylic or oil paint, or colored pencil (pastel not recommended). This class is being offered in two sessions: in person for four weeks on Wednesdays, 3:00-5:00pm, and via Zoom for four weeks on Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm. Both sessions begin October 20.
Register now!! For more details, materials lists, schedules, class prices, and to register, visit https://berkeleyartswv.org/instruction/. Pre-registration is required for all classes. In-person classes will be held at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 N. Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV. Please note: Space is very limited for in-person classes. All in-person class participants will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and wear masks while at the Berkeley Art Works. Classes will be set up for distancing. Direct questions via e-mail to instruction@berkeleyartswv.org, or call 304-620-7277 during business hours Wednesday through Friday, 11am – 5pm and Saturday, 11am – 4pm.
The Berkeley Arts Council is hosting the work of the Boys & Girls Club Annual Photography Competition from August 11 through 28 at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 N. Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV.
The Council has hosted this exhibit since 2014. There are 13 young artists from the Boys & Girls Club of Berkeley County represented, ages 12 to 18, and 37 photographs created using conventional black & white and color film processes, as well as digital photography. Subjects range from portraits to landscapes; still life, product shots and architecture.
The exhibit comes straight from the 74th Annual Berkeley County Youth Fair, where the work was displayed for judging from July 31 through August 7. This year features work completed in 2020 and 2021. There are 13 blue ribbons and numerous awards displayed in the show, including First Premium Award for “Mrs. Vicky”, by Travis Evans, Second Premium Award for “Secluded Glen”, by Aiden Murphy, and Third Premium Award for “Three Sopranos”, by Dakota Fiery.
The 9th Annual Eastern West Virginia Juried Exhibit features artwork by artists in the eight counties that comprise the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia: Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan, Hampshire, Hardy, Grant, Mineral, and Pendleton.
The Juror’s selections are in and the Juror, Ally Christmas, selected 21 works by 18 artists from 48 works submitted by 23 artists.
Here is the statement from the Juror:
“It was truly a pleasure to see such a wide variety of works from this community. I found it quite difficult to narrow down the selections as there was so much talent present throughout the entries. Ultimately, I honed in on a couple threads of commonality that led to this final grouping of works. After a year that has felt like 5 years, I found myself gravitating towards the pieces that invoked either a sense of peacefulness or a sense of whimsy – perhaps surreality or wonder, too. When brought together, these artworks may provide an escape from our harsh reality and offer some respite, no matter how brief. They are needed.”
The exhibit opens September 1 at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg and will run through October 9, 2021.
The accepted artists and works are:
| Nathan | Altier | Shattered Adoration |
| Paul | Berryhill | Going Home |
| Tracey | Donnelly Franklin | Dreamer |
| Lisa | Fisher | My Strawberry Milkshake |
| Angela | Giraldi | Red Bud Special |
| Martha | Hanley | Star Stream |
| Heather | Hendry | Spring |
| Chan | Jackson | Pointy Coneflowers |
| Susan | Loonsk | Sanctuary Moon |
| Jeanne | McClure | 17 Years to Light |
| Dawn | Moore | Sapphire Trio |
| Lannie | Mullenax | Bear Rocks Morning |
| Tom | Nebel | Ethereal |
| Tom | Nebel | Windswept |
| Judith | Pharr | ‘Bold’-er |
| Martha | Rowley | Springtime |
| Sterling | Smith | Continental Divide |
| Sterling | Smith | Mountain Light |
| Carol | Wilks | Sunday Afternoon in Vermont |
| Carol | Williams | Zug Island On the River Rouge |
| Carol | Williams | Mourning In America |
Retirement Idyl: Artwork by Mary Jo Sims and John Turner is an exhibit of paintings, drawings, collage, prints and mixed media artwork by two Berkeley Arts Council members, on display at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 North Queen Street, Martinsburg.
John Turner loved to draw during his grade school years. Until he attended classes through the Berkeley Arts Council, he had never taken an art class, or received formal art instruction. “My experience with the instructors has stimulated a strong desire on my part to explore, risk, and discipline my artistic efforts. The courses are conducted in such a manner that the studio time is encouraging, educational and socially engaging,” he says with enthusiasm. He finds great pleasure in line drawings and vibrant colors. Mixing media such as watercolor, ink, acrylic and colored pencil allows him to connect representative elements in an organic manner with more abstract vignettes.
Mary Jo Sims majored in fine art in college, where she was influenced by American Abstract Expressionists. After reading Wassily Kandinsky’s Concerning the Spiritual in Art, she became interested in the deep connection between the spiritual and the aesthetic. She explored that connection while attending Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, in their Department of Religion and the Arts. “I continue to resonate especially with Kandinsky’s improvisations, pieces that are divorced from subject matter and rely completely on color, line, and shape for meaning. Color, and the lines and shapes formed by the juxtaposing and mingling of colors, provide the meaning of my recent works. While there is some intentionality to the color application, I allow the initial flow of color on the paper surface to dictate much of the direction of the painting.”
The exhibit displays several of their individual works, but John and Mary Jo also collaborate on work and gain inspiration from each other. Collaborative works in the exhibit show a beautiful harmony in their artistic styles and interests. Retirement Idyl: Artwork by Mary Jo Sims and John Turner is open until August 7th. Business hours at the Berkeley Art Works are Wednesday – Friday, 11am to 5pm and Saturday 11am to 4pm.
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 (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 20, 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.
Click below for additional details
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.
The Berkeley Arts Council in Martinsburg, WV announces the 9th Annual Eastern West Virginia Juried Exhibit, to be displayed in the Berkeley Art Works gallery, 116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg, WV from September 2 to October 9, 2021. The extended deadline for entries is Sunday, August 1, 2021 (Midnight).
Eligibility
The exhibit is open to artists over the age of 18 who reside in one of the eight counties that comprise the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia: Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan, Hampshire, Hardy, Grant, Mineral, and Pendleton.
Theme
The theme for the exhibit is open. Works in any medium or technique, in 2- or 3-dimensions are welcome. Entries must be original works of art that have been completed within the last 3 years and have not been previously exhibited at the Berkeley Art Works.
Juror
Ally Christmas is a visual artist currently living and working in Shepherdstown, WV, where she teaches lens-based arts and coordinates the Photo Bachelor of Fine Arts program at Shepherd University. Much of her work revolves around notions of selfhood, virtuality, and lived experience. Her hybrid practice involves a number of forms including digital video, still photography, tintypes, palladium prints, bookmaking, gifs, cinemagraphs, and installation. Her work has been shown at a variety of venues, including Bitforms gallery in New York City; aCinema’s aDifferent Festival in Milwaukee; ATHICA in Athens, GA; Marcia Wood Gallery in Atlanta, GA; the Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, CO; and the Alternative Film Festival in Toronto, where her video piece, Syncing, won the festival award for Best Web Series. Christmas earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from the University of Virginia. In 2018 she received her Master of Fine Arts in Photo/Video from the University of Georgia, after which she spent two years teaching video art and photography courses at Grinnell College as the Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Video and New Media.
Entry Fee
The entry fee for one or two works is $25. 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 $350. Additional prizes will be determined by the number of entries.
Entries
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Sunday, August 1, 2021 (Midnight)
Click below for more information:
The Berkeley Arts Council announces the accepted artists for the Photo21 juried photography exhibit.
The juror selected 32 images out of 70 submitted from 27 artists in 13 states. Here is the list of accepted work:
| First Name | Last Name | Title |
| Elaine | Alibrandi | Passing |
| Gary | Bergel | Banana Tracks |
| Lynne | Breitfeller | Untitled |
| Lynne | Breitfeller | Rabbit in Cornfield |
| Ginger | Brookover | Self Portrait |
| Margaret | Clingan | Traces |
| Jamal | Davis | The Future |
| Sara | Drower | The Cook |
| Gabrielle | Flanary | Perish |
| Gabrielle | Flanary | Escort |
| Peter | Foiles | Derek |
| Brandi | Foster | The Dance |
| Sarah | Haig | Bubbles |
| Sarah | Haig | American Dreams: Store |
| Ellen | Hardesty | Nectar Noch |
| Deborah | Herndon | Tripod & Mid – Mod |
| Terri | Jackson | Whimsy |
| Elizabeth | Kayl | Papas Chair |
| Kirsten | Lee | Memories and Daydreams |
| Susan J | Mullins | Abandoned |
| Susan J | Mullins | Twilight On Botany Bay, SC |
| Paul | Murray | Enormity |
| Alice A | Newton | The Eye |
| Valerie | Ordas | Rat Life |
| Judith | Pharr | Flights Canceled |
| Arthur | Really | April Showers Impressive |
| Karen | Smith | Closed Sign |
| Sterling | Smith | Heavenly Statue of Liberty |
| Siobhan | Vicens | Dupont Circle |
| Siobhan | Vicens | Dupont Circle 11 |
| Omar | Williams | Self Portrait # 5 |
| Kristin | Zimet | Walnut Planet |
