“Nature’s Art”, featuring the work of 3 local artists, is currently on display at the Adams County Arts Council’s Arts Education Center, 125 S. Washington Street, Gettysburg. A reception highlighting their work will be held on First Friday, May 4th, from 5:00-7:30 p.m.
Virginia Werder’s florals and landscape paintings are showcased in the Reception Hall until May 15th. Virginia graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a Major in Art and Painting. She’s painted flowers for 20 years, and likes working with acrylic paint because she has the ability to manipulate the paint and go back into her pieces to use a variety of techniques that create texture and dimension. In one technique, she uses towel rolls to produce shapes in this unique wet application process. Her finished paintings reflect her affinity for flowers and shapes. While she paints, she “imagines the ins and outs of the flower”, which creates a 3D effect with her finished work. The result almost “feels accidental”. She finely tunes this spontaneous process by adding details with meticulous brush work. Her “Spring Mix” collection is full of colors that pay tribute to the season’s palette.
Paintings by Alan McBeth and his award winning instructor, Freya Qually, are featured in the Gallery through May 25th. McBeth first began painting in High School, and as a deaf student, struggled with the ability to communicate and understand general painting theory and concepts. He took up oil painting as a hobby 13 years ago and began his studies with Freya Qually this past November. He credits his advancements in oil painting techniques to Qually, and “feels very motivated to learn” because of her teaching skills. Through his interpreter, Kathy Bennett, he says “Freya’s expressive face and body language helped him learn tremendously”. His paintings capture outdoor themes, and express his love of nature and color.
Freya Qually, Founder of the Studio Art Department at the Penn State Mont Alto Campus, teaches Studio Art at the Campus, as well as privately. She is the 2005 recipient of the Martha Fisher Award for Excellence in teaching for the campus. She works mostly in oil, and for exhibits, she prefers to paint landscapes and still lifes. “Teaching art helps to stimulate new ideas”, Qually says. “I wish I had more students like Alan. His hard work is gratifying, and shows improvement every week”. They communicate through written instruction, as well as “intuitive common language”. Her own work is “a range of things over a range of years. Sunsets are my particular love because I love the colors and display, but I’ll paint just about anywhere I go.”
The artists’ work is available to purchase, and McBeth and Werder feature prints of their originals. The Arts Education Center is open Monday through Thursday, 9-9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9-5 p.m. The Arts Council’s mission is to cultivate an arts-rich community. For more information about Arts Council exhibits, classes for children and adults, summer arts camps, or membership, contact 717 334-5006 or visit adamsarts.org.
The works of Freya Qually along with her student Alan McBeth will be on display at the Arts Education Center through May 25. Pictured here is an oil piece, Sunset Near Old Forge.
