THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 20, 1994 TAG: 9411190069
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERESA ANNAS ARTS WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
TRULY STATEWIDE art exhibits are rare. In a way, the outdoor art shows that start in May and wind up in October are exhibitions of artists from across the state and beyond.
But it's not as though those outdoor shows are curated. Juried, yes. But not carefully selected with an expert eye. Not placed beside work by other artists with the goal of crafting an exhibit with cohesion and integrity.
The Virginia Beach Center for the Arts has done the deed. ``Common Wealth: Collecting Virginia Artists'' opens today with a free reception from noon to 4 p.m. Jazz guitarist Woody Beckner will engage the ear; all eyes will be on the 500-plus works throughout the center.
About 120 of Virginia's finest artists were invited to participate.
In addition to Jan Riley, the center's curator, art professionals from throughout the state were asked to recommend exceptional artists and fine arts craftspeople from their region.
It should be fascinating to compare the works from various regions. To see whether the Richmond works bear the mark of the influential School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. To see whether the Blue Ridge artists mostly render cows in fields or whether they're into cold geometric abstraction.
The range of works includes paintings, sculpture, photography, fiber arts, ceramics, jewelry and furniture. The work is billed as a sale and show, in hopes of helping our top artists survive in a Jesse Helms world.
``Common Wealth'' continues through Dec. 31 at the center, 2200 Parks Ave., across the expressway from the Virginia Beach Pavilion. Gallery hours are: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Free. Call 425-0000.
Also, the Ceramic Designers Association will fill the arts center's interior courtyard Thanksgiving weekend with original ceramics by local potters.
Hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind vases, jewelry, vessels and sculpture will be among the works for sale. Thirty percent of the profits will be donated to the center for exhibitions and educational programs.
Admission is free to the holiday show, set for Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
The mixed-media sculpture ``Milagro 2,'' above, by Virginia Van Horn
of Norfolk, is on display at The Virginia Beach Center for the Arts.
Norfolk artist Donnie L. Rogers' wood carving, right, also is in the
``Common Wealth: Collecting Virginia Artists'' show.
by CNB