By Page H. Gifford
Correspondent
It has been two years since the Fluvanna Art Association has had a show. So the FAA collaborated with Louisa Arts Center-Purcell Gallery to have a featured show of all the member’s work in January of this year. But COVID postponed the original show until June of this year.
Artists who chose to participate in the juried show submitted work to be selected for the final showing. Twenty-one artists entered 36 pieces of work. The judge was artist Ruth Lefko, an experienced artist with a unique style of abstraction and realism.
Lefko gravitates toward deep, saturated colors which is the hallmark of her style. There is a subtle, quiet beauty in her work which she recognized in the work of FAA members, including Jane Prete and Jane Skatke, two of her top five picks for recognition.
Prete’s style is similar with color being a dominant feature while her ethereal figures float off the page.
“I think the Fluvanna Arts Association show is a nice collection of works by local artists exhibiting an array of subject matter with eye-catching techniques,” said Lefko. “One of my favorite paintings is “Middle Sister” by Janie Prete. Art tells a story and I sense one in this piece. I am always impressed with artists who can successfully convey emotions through figures in a painting.”
Other favorites among the five, were “Garden Delights” by William Snow and “Blue Leaves” by Skafte.
“They caught my attention through the various techniques used to create layers.” Kathleen Scott was among the selected five with her painting “Beach,” which was used in the original promotion of the show, and Lorraine Momper for her “At The Outer Banks Brewing Co.”
Her top five are an eclectic mix of styles, techniques, and mediums. Snow is known for his flawless, tight watercolors while Prete is more abstract. Momper is a realist and conveys mood by successfully manipulating light and detail in her pastels while Scott uses rich color and impressionistic methods. Skatke encompasses a little bit of all of them but is similar to Snow and Scott in her renditions of her subjects.
Among the familiar artists chosen to exhibit, Windy Payne has exhibited at the gallery before returning for this one with three of her signature landscapes. Also showing was Linda Staiger with her large impressionistic landscapes and Tom Ellis entered a couple of sculptures, including “Wind.” Tom Ellis’ carving shows exquisite detail and movement in the bird and the trees as the bird braces himself against the wind and the blowing tree limbs.
COVID-19 has been a challenge for many groups in the past year and the FAA is not an exception. They are hoping if things continue to get better, and more people get vaccinated, the FAA may be able to have their annual judged show in November.
The show will open on June 4, with a reception from 6-8 p.m. at the Purcell Gallery at the Louisa Arts Center. Masks are required and no food will be served. The show runs through July 23. For more information visit https://louisaarts.org/purcell-art-gallery/.
