THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 2, 1996 TAG: 9605310061
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERESA ANNAS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 61 lines
THE DOWNTOWN Portsmouth arts community is working together so it can survive together. One means to that end is ``First Sundays in Portsmouth.''
``First Sundays'' was begun last fall by two gallery managers in that city - Wayne Potrafka and Nate Mewhinney.
The idea is to coordinate Sunday afternoon art openings, and to encourage art lovers to spend time in Portsmouth.
In March, Potrafka moved his Tower Mall gallery to 600 Washington St. in downtown Portsmouth. He has since filled the 20,000-square-foot former bank with paintings, prints and sculpture by more than 80 local and regional artists.
As a result, the ``First Sunday'' project now is centered in the Olde Towne district. And the two dealers have spent time and energy encouraging other galleries, restaurants and shops in that area to sponsor activities the afternoon of the first Sunday of each month.
Today from 2 to 5 p.m., Mewhinney, owner of Olde Towne Gallery at 341 High St., is hosting a preview reception for a show of paintings by Chinedu Okala.
Okala is a Nigerian artist who teaches painting, drawing and art appreciation at Norfolk State University. He plans to attend the reception, where about 20 of his paintings will be on view through June 29.
Olde Towne is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Saturday; until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 397-2787.
The Potrafka Gallery is premiering two shows today from 1 to 5 p.m. A Portsmouth scuba diver, Dan Porzio, is having his debut exhibit in the ``vault'' gallery. Porzio will show about 10 large abstract oils.
The featured regional artist of the month is Raymond Bell, a pastel artist from Dumfries, Va. Last weekend, Bell earned an honorable mention in the 26th annual Seawall Art Show in downtown Portsmouth. He is a self-taught artist who specializes in depicting wildlife in its native habitat.
The shows will continue through June 30. Potrafka gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call 399-4774.
The nearby Art Atrium gallery, which generally closes on Sundays, will open its doors today from 2 to 5 p.m. A collection of African art as well as the work of various local artists will be on view.
Art Atrium is at 629 High St. Call 393-1215.
In addition, a restaurant called Salsa's at 612 Court St. also contains a gallery called The Artist's Palette. Besides decorating the cafe's walls with art for sale by area artists, the Palette also sells art supplies. Call 397-2425.
Through June, art supplies are 50 percent off - probably due to the summer slowdown of traffic from art students at the nearby Tidewater Community College's Visual Arts Center.
The TCC center opened a two-person show Saturday, featuring conceptual installation art by Dan Smith and woodcuts and linocuts by Sean Stewart. Work by the local artists will be on view through July 12.
TCC hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Call 396-6978.
And while you're there, cross the street and visit The Portsmouth Museums. Two exhibits are on view: ``Virginia Beach Sumi-e Society: Secrets of the Orient,'' through June 9, and a show of cutting-edge computer art, ``Elastic Visions,'' through June 16.
Both shows are at The Arts Center, High and Court streets. Admission is $1. The galleries are open 1 to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call 393-8983. by CNB