The Berkeley Arts Council announces their Fall schedule of classes, offering learning opportunities in a variety of media, diversity of subject matter and instruction levels for all ages.

Beginning in September, classes include Introduction to Figure Drawing and Printmaking with Gel Plate, both by instructor Leah Bennett, an accomplished artist and instructor specializing in pen and ink, acrylics, mixed media and creative journaling.

Mixed Media Mash-Up for kids 8 years and up will be offered by instructor Jane Ping.  Jane has been teaching children and adults for more than 30 years and holds a Master’s degree in Fine Art from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Judith Becker will be teaching Beginning Watercolor Pencil, Painting All Types of Water Images, and Painting with Pastel.  She specializes in painting with watercolors, colored pencils, pastels and often mixes her media for unusual effects.  She is accomplished in composition, design and color theory.  Judith directs the art education program for the Berkeley Arts Council.

Of special note, Judith will also be leading a Plein Air painting workshop, September 19 and 20 at Alpine Lake Resort in Terra Alta, WV.  Participants will have an opportunity to create four views in the mountains of West Virginia and receive instruction in choosing the best view for the best layout, redesigning the view, capturing the light, painting efficiently, utilizing limited colors, capturing a mood and expressing oneself.

In October, Judith will teach Beginning Colored Pencil, and Beginning Watercolor Painting.  Rip Smith will teach Photographic Composition and Creative Vision, and How to Photograph Your Artwork.  Rip is an award-winning fine art and architectural photographer whose work has been exhibited nationally and regionally.

Rounding out the busy Fall season in November, Judith Becker will offer a Next Level All About Color class, as well as instruction on Using the Color Wheel.

Classes are held at the Berkeley Art Works Gallery, 116 Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV.  Detailed descriptions for all classes and registration information is located on the Berkeley Arts Council Web site at https://berkeleyartswv.org/instruction/. For information email berkeleyartswv@gmail.com or call 304-620-7277.

The Berkeley Art Works, a project of the Berkeley Arts Council, is the realization of the long-held dream of the arts community in Martinsburg and Berkeley County West Virginia to have a community-based arts facility that supports local and regional artists, brings quality arts experiences for the members of the public, and provides a wide range of arts learning experiences for local residents, artists, and artisans.

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.

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The Berkeley Arts Council Board of Directors held its first meeting of the 2020 fiscal year this week and elected new officers and members for the coming year. Effective July, 2019 the following officers were elected:

President – Anna Howard
Vice President – Judith Becker
Secretary – Gary Bergel
Treasurer – Malinda Shaver is a founding Board member and has served as President for the past 9 years.

Additionally, the following people will serve as board members:

Rip Smith – Founding Board Member
Susan Parker
Jeff Molenda
Annette Verna Continue reading →

Congratulations to Doug Kinnett who was awarded the “Fan Favorite” award in the recent “In The Abstract” exhibit at the Berkeley Art Works.

Visitors from the gallery were encouraged to vote for their favorite piece in the exhibit, making a $1 donation for each vote. Doug will receive a cash award of $50 thanks to a generous anonymous donor.

Other artists whose work received votes were Kirsten Lee, Joe Mayer, Kristina Hoffman, Gary Bergel, Susan Loonsk, Mary-Jo Bennett, Mary-Jo Sims, and Jenny Wilson.

Thanks to all of the artists who participated in the exhibit and those who voted for their “Fan Favorite”.

Art has the power to heal and transform both artist and audience. An upcoming exhibit, “Transformations,” demonstrates how art offers restoration, renewal, and growth

The exhibit, on display June 12 through July 14 at the Berkeley Art Works in Martinsburg, WV, will feature the work of four local women artists making art as they meet life’s challenges—embracing new ideas, coping with loss, surviving illness, taking care of loved ones, and other transitions.

Martha Hanley, retired from public school service, is dealing with the loss of a partner. Having started with watercolor 27 years ago, she found renewal and inspiration with collage and assemblage. Kristin Camitta Zimet, lifelong poet and professional editor, is dealing with issues of health and caregiving; she has been using her computer to transform photographs into surrealistic visions. Sally Myers, retired university art teacher, is recovering from brain surgery; she is finding new ways to do her metal and clay sculptures. Marty Matheson retired and cared for her mother. After a period of working with acrylics on colorful abstracts, she has rediscovered pen and ink.

The women came together a year ago with a commitment to create an exhibit and to support and challenge one another in taking risks, exploring new themes and media.

There will be a reception on Sunday, June 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. Each of the artists will share a few thoughts on her creative process and recent work.

The Berkeley Art Works is located at 116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg. Gallery hours are Wed-Fri 11-5, Sat 11-4.