The Shenandoah Valley Art Center, during the month of July, is exhibiting the oil paintings of Joe Garber.
Garber’s theme, Summer of 2013 & the Fourth of July, 1776, shows his interests in historical research about the first twenty-five years in the founding of Jamestown. Garber stated that the lives of George Thorpe, once on the privy council of King James, Alexander Whitaker, a minister, and Captain John Smith have influenced him for a long time and that undertaking the research has been personally rewarding. His painting of George Washington at Trenton is just one of the works which illustrates his love of detailed compositions with loads of color.
Since his studies of art at Virginia Commonwealth University, Garber has explored wildlife photography and experienced the many hours of downtime waiting to capture any one animal. Painting continued to pull him back into working on large three by four foot canvases with his historical and biblical themes, expressing his interests in portraits and figurative illustrations. He uses the Italian verdaccio of Leonardo Da Vinci and techniques of underpainting to plan compositions. For Garber, Georges de la Tour from the seventeenth century is a great influence and his use of chiaroscuro and realism, evident in the detail of fingers and clothing, are unsurpassed. More modern illustrator, Norman Rockwell, is also favored by Garber. All in all, the visual renderings of the artist capture his ardor for historical stories and present his unique interpretation of the events.
An opening reception will be held Saturday, July 13, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and the public is encouraged to come and meet the artist after he speaks briefly about his work.
In the Upstairs Hallway Gallery, an exhibition of water media by the Central Virginia Watercolor Guild will be displayed. The Members Gallery will present works of art by SVAC members who were the award winners from the Annual Members Exhibit. Do not miss the paintings and prints by Betty DeMar Mueller which will be shown in the Docent Room.
Save the dates!!! Shenandoah Valley Art Center offers a Summer Art Camp for Kids. Week one will be coordinated by Pat Garnett and held at the art center, July 15 – 19, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. for kids ages 6 – 11, and will focus on several different projects ranging from sculpture to painting. Week two will feature ceramics and will be held at the Lyndhurst ceramic studio of Lynn Hilton Conyers. The class will meet July 22, 23, 25 and 26, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. All materials are provided as part of a handbuilding and wheel throwing clay experience for kids ages 6 and older. Art Camp is perfect for imaginative young artists who love to create art! Contact the art center for specific information and pre-registration.
Open studio opportunities in the Virginia Ross Education Studio are available to printmakers and ceramic artists. Apply on line at www.SVACart.com.
The Fall Foliage Festival Art Show application for the show to be held on October 12 and 13 is online and available to professional artists. Recently the show was voted one of the top three art events in Virginia by “Virginia Living” readers.
The art center is celebrating its retail alliance and Artisan Trail partnership with the Artisan Center of Virginia. In the SVAC Gift Shop you can find the perfect hand crafted gift in fiber, jewelry, wood, glass, pottery, and more by juried artisans from Virginia.
The Shenandoah Valley Art Center is located in downtown Waynesboro at 126 S. Wayne Avenue. Galleries are open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call (540) 949-7662 or visit www.svacart.com .
Share
Contributors
