By Page H. Gifford
“Beginnings” can mean many things to many artists. At the Fluvanna Art Association’s 2026 Spring Show, that single word unfolds in a wide range of interpretations: personal, symbolic, and most of all, transformative.
On display at the Fluvanna County Public Library, the exhibit brings together varied media and perspectives, each offering its own take on what it means to start anew.
Susan Edginton reflects on the evolution of technology with a watercolor-and-ink pay phone rendered in bubble gum pink, bright yellow, lavender, and powder blue—a delicate nod to the shift from nostalgia to convenience.
Alyce Walcavich leans into the surreal. Her ruffled-feather rooster and a dreamlike print of an egg floating above a landscape like a hot air balloon playfully revisit the age-old question: which came first?
“I love surrealism; it has always fascinated me,” she said.
Marcie Stahl captures the quiet beginning of a day with a serene collage still life—coffee, pastries, and reading material arranged in inviting color. Nance Stamper’s chick emerging from its shell offers a more literal take on new life.
For newcomer Carol Sue Richmond, the theme takes on a personal dimension. Her mixed-media works—featuring whimsical women adorned with paint, feathers, beads, and tiles, alongside a multicolored, multifaceted horse—mark her own artistic beginning with the association.
The show runs through May 25. A reception is scheduled for April 18 from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
