The Anderson Gallery, 45 Years of Art on the Edge

"Desert Mountains" - Oil on Canvas ©Mary Montague Sikes

When I received my VCU arts STUDIO alumni magazine, I was excited to read the article about the new book, The Anderson Gallery, 45 Years of Art on the Edge. From the moment I first set foot on the VCU campus in the late 1970s, the Anderson Gallery became one of my favorite places to visit. I was struck by the far out contemporary art always featured in the space. Later on, I was honored to be a part of some of the shows there.

When it was time for my graduate thesis exhibition, I was thrilled that it took place in Anderson Gallery. My large mountain paintings glowed in the perfect gallery lighting. "Desert Mountains" is a 48" x 84" oil painting that was part of that show. Along with 11 other students in my MFA painting class, I spent two years going full time to earn my master's degree. We had visiting artists from New York and California who taught us so much as we got the chance to watch them work in the old school turned studio building along with us. Anderson Gallery was the center for it all.

Bernard Martin is one of the authors of the book about the history of the gallery. I was a student in his painting classes for a couple of years before I was accepted into the master's program. He was an outstanding instructor who taught me so much about making art.

One of the pastel working drawings from my graduate thesis show is part of the permanent collection of the Anderson Gallery. A few months ago, I received a letter from the gallelry informing me that it would be moved to the new location.

The Anderson Gallery was an important part of my years at VCU. I cherish my memories from those days.

April 1 is Sad Day for Art in Williamsburg

As April 1 approaches, I can't help but feel a little sad. Not only is New Town Art Gallery closing its doors, but the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Education Center will no longer be open.

The closure of the Art Education Center is disappointing for many area artists. When it opened in 2012 on Westover Avenue, there was a feeling of excitement. I was fortunate to to be one of the exhibiting artists in January and February 2013 and hung a show of the pastel paintings from my coffee table book, Hotels to Remember. Three other artists exhibited with me those two months, and we had a lovely opening reception on a Friday evening along with another event that Saturday featuring a band. It was a fun time. I've also taught several workshops, including "Painting Like Georgia", in the facility and had several more workshops scheduled for this spring.

"Hotel to Remember Show at the Art Education Center" ©MM Sikes

"Renee Kennedy resident artist New Town ©MMSikes

When I visited New Town Art Gallery last week, there was a feeling of sadness in the air. The gallery was beautiful, as always, and I once again admired the special lighting throughout the space. Everyone in the New Town area and beyond is going to miss the artistic atmosphere that surrounded the space. They will miss the unique attention to creative detail the artists brought. They will miss the opportunity to visit a very special location, if only to browse for a moment during a lunch break.

There are just a few days left. Please visit New Town Art Gallery.

"New Town Art Gallery interior" ©MM Sikes

New Town Art Gallery in Williamsburg Is Closing

"New Town Art  Gallery at Night" ©Mary Montague Sikes

It is sad to learn that New Town Art Gallery is closing on March 29. For almost six years, this lovely and spacious gallery has been open to the public and has served as a beautiful display and sales location for a number of visiting as well as resident artists.

From August to November 2014, I had the opportunity to be one of the visiting artists, and I loved it. When it was my turn to assist in the gallery, the resident artists were wonderful to me and very patient.The artists kept the space beautifully arranged and attractive for visitors. Often, a theatrical group would provide a "teaser" event at the gallery advertising a new production. The cast of "Cats" gave an exciting performance during my stay there.

"Cats" performance at New Town Art Gallery ©Mary Montague Sikes

 

The gallery manger, Anne Kushnick, issued this statement regarding the closure, "With our lease ending, we hope to explore new opportunities to show our work and to support the arts in our area. We have been blessed to have had this great experience and share it with all of you."

The location at 5140 Main Street is within walking distance for New Town residents and is close to the Barnes and Noble store. The popular Opus Nine restaurant is across the street from the gallery's main entrance.

A special celebration is planned for March 11 at the gallery. This is "to thank their patrons and the community for their support over the years," Kushnick says.

New Town will surely miss the presence of this very special artist group. Hopefully, they will find a wonderful new space to continue the gallery elsewhere in the area.

Talking on the Radio about Evening of the Dragonfly

  It was fun to be on the radio as the guest of Neal Steele, XTRA 99.1. We talked about the art show I painted for Farrah Ferand, the heroine of my book and how I should have signed her name to the work. I told Neal that I named her for Farrah Faucett because I liked her so much in the long-ago TV hit, "Charlie's Angels". You can hear the podcast of the broadcast if you click on the blue icon. 

Member Showcase: February 2016

Mary Montague Sikes

Author of

Evening of the Dragonfly

Tune in to XTRA 99.1FM to hear the Author interviewed by Neal Steele on CBW's Second Monday monthly broadcast, February 8th at about 8:05AM. If you missed the live broadcast, click the icon below.

About the Book

Threatening telephone calls and strange cars with dark-tinted windows plague artist/teacher Farrah Ferand. Recovering from the tragic loss of her mother, Farrah is trying to adapt to the life of a small-town art teacher when she encounters Dirk Lawrence, a mysterious stranger. Her attraction to him is immediate and electric until Farrah discovers Dirk is part of the Lawrence and Pendesky investment firm that led to her mother's downfall a few years earlier. Farrah's not too perfect dating relationship with Tom Douglas, the town favorite football coach, worsens. An unexpected encounter leads to dates with Dirk and his help with the construction of a dream art studio in her rented house. But trouble looms with Tom who believes he and Farrah are engaged, and the entire town appears to be drawn in. Haunting dreams and lost memories overwhelm Farrah as she creates paintings for a one-person art show. Will shadows of the past ruin all hope for Farrah and Dirk?

About the Author

Mary Montague Sikes grew up near the bloody Civil War battlefields of Central Virginia where thousands died. Those early years in a landscape where tears still flowed sparked her interest in the psychic and the paranormal that carries over into her writing today.

Sikes loves to travel, especially to the Caribbean and Jamaica where she discovered the legend of the White Witch of Rose Hall Great House that inspired her first novel, Hearts Across Forever. More psychic encounters in Sedona, Arizona led to her novel, Eagle Rising. Adventures in Antigua became the book, Secrets by the Sea. Then, an escapade in Trinidad developed into the story of Night Watch. Her love of "Indiana Jones" type quests took her to the Maya Ruins of Palenque and eventually directed her to write Jungle Jeopardy.

She has been told by readers that her novel, Daddy's Christmas Angel, set in a small fictitious American town, is the "best book I've ever read". The romance is a little like "Sleepless in Seattle" and has a happy ending.An artist before she was an author, Mary Montague Sikes has a scrapbook with drawings she made as a two-year-old. Like Farrah Ferand in Evening of the Dragonfly, she spends many hours each month in a painting studio built over her garage. When she isn't writing or painting, she enjoys travel to exotic destinations that might one day become part of her Passenger to Paradise book series.

Email the Author <-> Visit her Website <-> Buy the Book at A

Claris Financial, Another Place to Show Art

Art Reception at Claris Financial ©Mary Montague Sikes

Five years ago, John Paxton decided to create gallery space at his business location at Claris Financial in Innsbrook, Glen Allen, Virginia. The result was an impressive curated art display complete with a catered January Open House.

Each year since that time, Paxton and his staff have held an Open House for artists and clients. The latest one took place last week, and this time featured a caricature artist who proved quite popular. I always enjoy seeing the art work and visiting with artist friends.

Thanks for the support of local artists.

Claris Financial Art Reception ©Mary Montague Sikes

"American Lotus" - My painting at Claris

Think Local and Support Artists in Your Town or City

Jim Pittman painting

Carole Barnes painting

On the Internet and in e-mails, I am seeing more and more posts and photos urging folks to "Buy Local" and "Support Your Local Artists". Last week, I attended an Open House at New Town Art Gallery in Williamsburg where I marveled at the outstanding work on view by the gallery artists as well as the visiting artists there. I could stand and look at the Jim Pittman paintings for a very long time and always discover something new in his brushwork and design. His painting to the left was not in the show but is similar to the works there although brighter in color. Paintings by Carole Barnes blended in well with the Pittman work, making a strong entrance display at New Town. The work of both artists has a distinct tie and feel of antiquity. I've enjoyed Carole's art for years and on more than one occasion have taken a workshop with her.

"Will There Be Peace Anywhere?" ©Mary Montague Sikes

While in Williamsburg, I stopped by Prince George Art and Frame where a show of work by the gallery artists is on display.  My painting, "Will There Be Peace Anywhere?" is one of the pieces on view there.

Local gallery artists have a continuing show at the Art Speaks  Gallery at the Mathews Bay School. "Field of Poppies", an encaustic is one of my pieces for sale there.

"Field of Poppies" ©Mary Montague Sikes

My mixed media painting, "Heat of Summer" is featured along with work by other area artists in the Claris Financial Art Gallery at Innsbrook in Richmond.

"Heat of Summer" ©Mary Montague Sikes

In Petersburg, the new Ward Center for Contemporary Art has paintings and sculpture by a variety of mostly Virginia artists on display on three levels. The Grand Gallery is a spacious and impressive location for large-scale art. My painting, "The Red Bud", is on display in the studio area, "Cockade Alley", located behind the Grand Gallery.

"The Red Bud" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Crossroads Art Center in Richmond is a thriving sales venue for artists in all price ranges. Not only does the gallery feature and promote local art, but the Center has numerous workshops throughout the year.

With so many locations for artists throughout the state, I hope people, especially art lovers, will consider visiting their local art galleries and other art display venues as they go about their holiday shopping. Many of the galleries in Virginia also have work available for sale on line.

Please support your local artists.

Art Open House at Prince George Gallery in Williamsburg

"Painting from a Still Life"

Last Saturday, I was one of about 10 gallery artists who participated in an Open House at Prince George Art and Frame in Williamsburg VA. Four of us, Bonnie Coyle, Edwin Green, Patricia Rapoport, and I, painted from a still life set up by gallery owner Fred Miller. Others, like Hank Mook, a papier mache artist, demonstrated how they create their work. It's not often I get to be with other artists with the opportunity to paint, so this was a fun event.

"Pumpkin and Flowers" ©Mary Montague Sikes

We each got to know more about the other artists who share space on the walls of Prince George Gallery, and we also had the opportunity to talk with those people who dropped in to visit and watch us at work. It would be fun to have more of these Open House events with artist demonstrations in other areas, including Petersburg, at The Ward Center for Contemporary Art. 

Although I don't usually work in pastels, I used them to create a painting on 300-pound Arches paper, 15 x 11. Before going to the gallery, I primed the paper with orange acrylic paint. I also did a small 5 x 7 still life on pastelbord, a surface I had never before used for soft pastels.