Upcoming events
View Arts on Main’s Class Policies: https://www.gloucesterartsonmain.org/class-policies
Oil Painting Class
Oil Painting Class
Every Thursday Afternoon
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Join Renate Bumgarner at Arts on Main every Thursday from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM for an Oil Painting Class!
Bring your work and let Renate help you go to the next level. She is an expert in oil and watercolor. Bring a photo or reproduction of a painting to work on, as large as possible and clear. Keep it simple.
Students are required to bring their own supplies. Click the button below to view supply list.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Renate Bumgarner is an award winning European born artist who studied and worked during her early years in Germany. A widow at 29, she studied art in Frankfurt and later in Wurzburg at the Institute of Art. While working for the US Military in Germany, she was an instructor at the Education Center in Schweinfurt.
in 1976, she and her new husband moved to Virginia, where again she studied art at Thomas Nelson Community College and worked with many well known artists in the area. At this time she started working with stained glass. Currently, she works primarily in oil, watercolor and pastel. She has received many awards at shows and exhibitions over the past years-too many to list.
In 1996, a widow again, she moved to the Middle Peninsula. She and a friend started the Art League of Gloucester where she became the leagues first president. She is currently volunteering at several co-op galleries.
Renate Bumgarner continues to display her works in Europe at select galleries. You can find her work locally displayed at galleries in Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Mathews and Yorktown Virginia. The Village Gallery and Gloucester Arts on Main both show her work. Private and Corporate commissions Welcome.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
We’re CLOSED!
The Gallery will be CLOSED on Saturday, February 22nd for our “A Taste of the Arts” culinary event. We’re grateful for all of our artists, class attendees, donors, and friends! We look forward to seeing you back on Wednesday, February 25th from 12-5pm!
February Fête: Creative Culinary Arts
Arts on Main is excited to explore the creative culinary arts with you this February! The evening will feature select cuisine from local chefs, restaurants, and food trucks and offer participants the opportunity to donate.
The proceeds from the event will provide critical support for both programs and gallery operations that are vital to Arts on Main’s mission of enriching people’s lives by providing a creative environment for the arts to flourish.
Come explore the world of culinary arts with us!
Watercolor Workshop: Penguins!
Watercolor Workshop: Penguins!
Wednesday, February 26
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join Jan Finn-Duffy on Wednesday, February 26th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm for a watercolor workshop at Arts on Main!
Learn basic watercolor techniques to create this group of penguins… Jan will guide you through the process! No experience necessary! The skills learned in this fanciful painting are techniques you can use in almost any painting project.
All supplies will be provided by the instructor. For ages 16+
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Jan Finn-Duffy is a self-taught watercolorist with a passion for painting and sharing watercolor skills with aspiring artists. She has a working studio at 40 Church Street in Mathews, VA, where her art is displayed and lessons are taught. Her art has been published in multiple international publications. Please visit her website www.JanFinnDuffy.com for more information.
Oil Painting Class
Oil Painting Class
Every Thursday Afternoon
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Join Renate Bumgarner at Arts on Main every Thursday from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM for an Oil Painting Class!
Bring your work and let Renate help you go to the next level. She is an expert in oil and watercolor. Bring a photo or reproduction of a painting to work on, as large as possible and clear. Keep it simple.
Students are required to bring their own supplies. Click the button below to view supply list.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Renate Bumgarner is an award winning European born artist who studied and worked during her early years in Germany. A widow at 29, she studied art in Frankfurt and later in Wurzburg at the Institute of Art. While working for the US Military in Germany, she was an instructor at the Education Center in Schweinfurt.
in 1976, she and her new husband moved to Virginia, where again she studied art at Thomas Nelson Community College and worked with many well known artists in the area. At this time she started working with stained glass. Currently, she works primarily in oil, watercolor and pastel. She has received many awards at shows and exhibitions over the past years-too many to list.
In 1996, a widow again, she moved to the Middle Peninsula. She and a friend started the Art League of Gloucester where she became the leagues first president. She is currently volunteering at several co-op galleries.
Renate Bumgarner continues to display her works in Europe at select galleries. You can find her work locally displayed at galleries in Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Mathews and Yorktown Virginia. The Village Gallery and Gloucester Arts on Main both show her work. Private and Corporate commissions Welcome.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Pastel Primer Workshop
Pastel Primer Workshop
Saturday, March 1st
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join Jody Ball on Saturday, March 1st from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM for a Pastel Primer Workshop at Arts on Main!
This workshop is all about learning and practicing the basics of the pastel medium! You will learn how to become comfortable and understand how to work with pastels. We will explore all aspects using chalk-like pastel sticks. You will be taught tips and techniques while practicing with different pastel paper surfaces and pastel types. This will give you the knowledge and ability to complete a lovely evening waterscape painting in class to take home! Shortly, Jody will be teaching a "Pet Portraits in Pastel" workshop, and this is the perfect primer class to help you get a head start in the world of pastels!
All supplies will be provided by the instructor. For ages 12+
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
JODY BALL
“Drawing and painting have been a part of my life as long as I can remember. As a child, my parents enrolled me in art lessons with a prominent hometown artist after my mother declared that all I did was draw and color! I now live in Deltaville, VA but passionately taught art to students of all ages for many years in a homeschool co-op environment and my studio when I lived in Ohio. My first love is the pastel medium and my representational paintings usually tend towards a softened, sometimes impressionistic appearance. Nature is my inspiration and I am possessed by the colors, forms, and textures that are possible in creating two-dimensional art. My paintings grace the walls of many homes across the country and I currently show my paintings at the RAL Art Center in Kilmarnock.”
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Palette Knife Workshop: dreaming of Spring
Palette Knife Workshop:
Dreaming of Spring
Saturday, March 8
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Join Rebecca West on Saturday, March 8th from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM for a Palette Knife Workshop at Arts on Main!
Get into the mood for spring and learn how to create an impasto painting on canvas! Impasto painting is an expressive and spontaneous form of painting where paint is applied on an area of a surface thick enough that the strokes are visible. In this workshop, you will learn how to use brushes and palette knives to create a textured painting of a woman running through a field of flowers. Rebecca will guide you from start to finish, there is no experience needed!
*STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING THEIR OWN SUPPLIES
SUPPLY LIST:
- Oil or acrylic paint (Ultramarine, Blue Cerulean, Pthalo Blue, White, Yellow, Purple, Red)
- 16 x 20 canvas
- Paintbrush assortment (1/2 inch brush)
- A few small palette knives
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
“I believe each individual has the potential to create a masterpiece, even with very little experience if the effort comes from a true desire to express the inner self. Using a palette knife gives the creator another tool to add to a growing toolbox.
I have been an artist since birth. Mostly I paint, but sometimes I sculpt. I believe life is art. Creation is art. Most of my adult life has been lived in the sky as a professional pilot. I have drawn inspiration from the ever-changing skyscape and many visits to breathtaking landscapes. I paint to create something new that wasn’t there before. I sculpt to give form to my ideas which could or could not have a basis in reality.
Art is freedom.”
2nd & 3rd Palette Pals & Young Artists Reception
Palette Pals & Young Artists Reception at Arts on Main
Thursday, March 13
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Join us at Arts on Main on Thursday, March 13 from 5:30pm - 6:30pm for a reception featuring 2nd and 3rd Grade Palette Pals and Young Artists! One artist from each school will receive a “Best in Show” award!
Palette Pals is Arts on Main’s signature educational program and part of our Youth Art Enrichment Programs. Founded in 2011 in one elementary school as the After-School Enrichment Program, it is now in every elementary school in Gloucester County, with over 3000 children participating to date. Palette Pals is currently conducted as an extracurricular, before-school program for students in grades K-5, led by the school’s art teacher. The program’s focus is on teaching STEAM-based art lessons that focus on current SOL objectives in math and science. Our goals are to provide hands-on experiential learning through art making and to increase student understanding of concepts related to math and science. This program is provided at no charge to the children or the schools and relies solely on grants and donations.
To make this program accessible to homeschooled students in Gloucester (and public school students who are unable to get into the Palette Pals program), we offer a program called “Young Artists” with Arts on Main Youth Instructor, Anne Atkinson. The students in this program follow the same lesson plans and schedule as our Palette Pals students.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Morning Painting Session: Bovine Beauty
Morning Painting Session:
Bovine Beauty 🐮🌼
Saturday, March 15
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join Juli Schuszler on Saturday, March 15th from 10:00AM - 12:00PM for a morning painting session at Arts on Main!
Celebrate the upcoming Spring season and join Juli Schuszler, Gloucester artist and teacher, for a fun and relaxing morning painting session! Using acrylic on an 11” x 14” canvas, you will paint a “Bovine Beauty.” Juli will provide all of the materials you will need, including brushes, a pre-sketched canvas, and acrylic paint. You will receive a reference image and a handout with step-by-step instructions. This class will be completed using acrylic paint on an 11” x 14” stretched canvas. Special instruction will be available to those needing help mixing colors and applying paint to create the details of this picture.
Feel free to bring your favorite (non-alcoholic) beverages and snacks to make the time even more special. Bring a friend, neighbor, relative, or spouse for this fun and engaging class!
FOR AGES 18+
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Juli Schuszler is a Gloucester artist known for her vibrant and dramatic oil masterpieces showcasing the beauty of the natural world. A passion for color is evident in Juli's paintings, inspired by an ongoing love of nature and gardening. Much of Juli’s inspiration comes from her garden. Juli works from real life observations and her own reference photos, focusing on the play of light and shadow, creating drama and visual interest in her art. Often working on large canvases, Juli paints carefully and slowly, creating numerous layers of paint, building as she goes. Juli says, “I like to search for striking and dramatic light in the images that I collect for my references.... I want to transport the viewer to a beautiful world of color and light with my paintings, to take them into a garden of delight!” Anyone can see that the common thread through all her artwork is a love of color and light. Retired from careers in commercial art and then in teaching Art and English in public school, college, and university, Juli now pursues her own art in her home studio. Her artworks are featured in the Bay School for the Arts, The Charles H. Taylor Art Center, and the Crossroads Art Center as well as the RAL Art Center Gallery.
Pet Portraits in Pastel
Pet Portraits in Pastel
THREE WEEK CLASS SERIES:
Saturday, March 15
Saturday, March 22
Saturday, March 29
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join Jody Ball for a Pastel Pet Portrait Class every Saturday March 15th - March 29th from 1:00pm - 4:00pm at Arts on Main!
Create an heirloom treasure of your beloved pet in this class, all animal types are welcome! You will be guided step by step to create a successful pet or animal portrait in pastel from beginning to end. You will learn how to render fur or feathers and other elements necessary in creating animals whether it barks, meows, roars or chirps! This class will give you a deeper understanding of the pastel process. By the end of three weeks, you will walk away with a treasured animal portrait suitable for framing!
Please email one clear photo of your pet, preferably a head and/or shoulders pose that you would like to replicate to Hanah Hailey at communications@gloucesterartsonmain.org no later than March 10. This will be reproduced and used as part of the class for your portrait.
FOR AGES 15+
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
JODY BALL
“Drawing and painting have been a part of my life as long as I can remember. As a child, my parents enrolled me in art lessons with a prominent hometown artist after my mother declared that all I did was draw and color! I now live in Deltaville, VA but passionately taught art to students of all ages for many years in a homeschool co-op environment and my studio when I lived in Ohio. My first love is the pastel medium and my representational paintings usually tend towards a softened, sometimes impressionistic appearance. Nature is my inspiration and I am possessed by the colors, forms, and textures that are possible in creating two-dimensional art. My paintings grace the walls of many homes across the country and I currently show my paintings at the RAL Art Center in Kilmarnock.”
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
young artists! (Kindergarten and 1st Grade) *CLASS FULL!
Young artists!
(Kindergarten and 1st Grade) *CLASS FULL!
SIX SESSIONS:
Friday, March 21st
Friday, March 28th
Friday, April 4th
Friday, April 18th
Friday, April 25th
Friday, May 2nd
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
During this course, students will be taught STEAM-based (Science Technology Engineering Art Math) art lessons that focus on current SOL (Standards of Learning) objectives in math and science. Our goals are to provide hands-on experiential learning through art making and to increase student understanding of concepts related to math and science content. Students will learn about two-dimensional shapes, explore color schemes, and create masterpieces using a variety of mediums and the process of art technique.
All supplies will be provided by the instructor. For children ages 5-7.
At the end of the course, one art piece from each student will be put on display to be featured in a reception at Arts on Main on Thursday, May 15th from 5:30pm - 6:30pm. One piece will be awarded best in show, and will get to have their art featured in the gallery for an extra week!
*CLASS FULL!
If you would like to be put on a waitlist, call Arts on Main at (804) 824 - 9464.
“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” - Pablo Picasso
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Meet Anne Atkinson! Anne holds a degree in Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has worked as a Scenic Artist for theatre for many years. Anne has taught art to people of all ages- from toddlers to seniors. She was raised in a family that embraced education and the arts…music and painting. Singing and dancing were always part of her life.
Thank you to our generous sponsors who make this program possible!
Realistic Paper Daffodils
Realistic Paper Daffodils
Saturday, March 22
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join Ronda Bowden on Saturday, March 22nd from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm for a Realistic Paper Daffodil Workshop at Arts on Main!
Make delicate and realistic paper daffodils just in time for Spring. Learn the process through step-by-step instruction with all supplies included.
FOR AGES 14+
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Ronda Bowden is a paper flower artist who focuses on realism and whimsical arrangements.
Better Beginners - Continuing Watercolor Fun
Better Beginners -
Continuing Watercolor Fun
Every Monday Evening
March 24 - April 28 (6 weeks)
Join Doug Mock every Monday evening March 24 - April 28 for Watercolor Classes at Arts on Main!
The Better Beginner class with Doug Mock will focus on color theory/mixing, painting subject matter that the artist chooses, (not the instructor) and pushing their skills on painting strong and appropriate values to make their artwork shine. Doug will demonstrate no more than 20 minutes each week focusing on color, techniques, tools, etc. and will spend the remaining time in class advising and assisting each artist.
Artists will continue to hone their skills and improve their artist eye while learning more color mixing theory by actually completing specific exercises provided by Doug. Artists will strengthen their confidence and have a great time engaging with other like-minded artists.
FOR AGES 16+
Students are asked to bring the watercolor supplies that they currently use to paint.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Doug Mock is an award-winning watercolor artist and teacher living in White Stone, Virginia. Born in 1966 in Central Pennsylvania he was raised in a small dairy farming community where strong work ethic, love of family and appreciation of nature were of major importance. Doug is mostly self-taught, with significant influence by figurative watercolorist Mary Whyte. Mock creates art inspired by people and nature. His work is characterized by unique design, bold color and creative subject matter. Capturing life’s simple moments, Doug’s art connects with collectors on an emotional level. Doug has been juried into and regularly appears in shows and exhibitions throughout the United States. His work is appreciated and can be found in private collections throughout the country. He is a member of prominent watercolor organizations and is a signature member of the Virginia Watercolor Society and the Southern Watercolor Society.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Abstract Mixed Media Workshop
Abstract Mixed Media Workshop
Saturday, April 12
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Join Kendra Wadsworth on Saturday, April 12th from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at Arts on Main for an Abstract Mixed Media Workshop!
Looking to the “father of modern art,” Wassily Kandinsky, and comparing him to 21st-century artists Julie Mehretu, and “Stadia III,” students explore lyrical expression and measured marks as they apply to abstract art. Using a variety of traditional and nontraditional materials as well as a mini-psychological profile and music, students create large-scale works of geometric and organic origin.
FOR AGES 16+
All supplies will be provided by the instructor, but you are welcome to bring materials of your own (fabric, paper scraps, mixed media supplies, etc). Please bring a lunch, or plan to check out one of our local restaurants within walking distance!
This program has been organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and is funded, in part, by the Paul Mellon Endowment and the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.
*For Pay What You Can options, please contact Arts on Main at (804) 824-9464
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Kendra Wadsworth, a scenic painter for motion picture, theatrical, television, and commercial projects, has an undergraduate degree in painting and printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University, and has an MFA in painting from The University of Pennsylvania.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Dye the Color Wheel: Acid Dye on Wool
Dye the Color Wheel: Acid Dye on Wool
Saturday, April 26
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join Sara McCourt on Saturday, April 26th from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM for an acid dye workshop!
Have you ever been disappointed in the colors you find in the yarn store? Tired of compromising on your project based on what is available? In this class you will learn the basics of acid dye and dye safety. Students will take home 12 mini skeins (40yard/10g) of sock yarn dyed in the colors of the color wheel. We will start by mixing our primary colors and then percentage mixing the secondary and tertiary colors. The finished skeins will be perfect for any yarn-based craft project you can imagine. Students will leave this workshop with an understanding of how to safely dye their own yarn at home. They will also learn basic color theory.
FOR AGES 18+
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
An avid knitter, Sara found that the needles in her hands were the gateway tool to a deeper passion: fiber. Wondering about the sourcing and processing of her mail-order wools led her to complete her Master’s Spinning Certification program at the Olds College in Alberta, Canada. She then began to use her handspun yarns first in knitting and then in weaving. This of course led to the use of natural and synthetic dyes in her work. Now, Sara spins and dyes her own yarn, fibers, and fabrics for use in her various fiber arts.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Understanding Composition & Design for All Visual Artists
Understanding Composition & Design
for All Visual Artists
Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Join Doug Mock on Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM for a composition and design workshop at Arts on Main!
Join Doug Mock for this 2-day workshop where you will learn the importance of creating art that takes advantage of strong design and composition. You will learn about the elements and principles of design, how to assess your photos (or plein air sites) to ensure strong works of art and how to best plan your art for success. Doug will have tools and hands-on exercises to reinforce your learning. Artists will gain a better understanding of the elements and principles of design while learning about and identifying critical compositional armatures/structures in a variety of art forms. Artists will complete hands-on activities to further reinforce their understanding of the critical importance of strong design and compositions.
Doug regularly judges mixed-media art exhibits and consistently evaluates and critiques art based upon the artists understanding of and utilization of strong composition. This class is open to artists in all media so come and join the fun! Please bring a lunch each day as we will have a 45 minute working lunch break each day.
Please bring at least six - 8.5 x 11 photo references (in black and white) that you think would make great paintings. Bring a notebook, pen/pencil and a positive attitude!
This workshop is open to ALL artists in any art medium. This course is a comprehensive workshop designed by the instructor after not being able to find the workshop content in any one place.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Doug Mock is an award-winning watercolor artist and teacher living in White Stone, Virginia. Born in 1966 in Central Pennsylvania he was raised in a small dairy farming community where strong work ethic, love of family and appreciation of nature were of major importance. Doug is mostly self-taught, with significant influence by figurative watercolorist Mary Whyte. Mock creates art inspired by people and nature. His work is characterized by unique design, bold color and creative subject matter. Capturing life’s simple moments, Doug’s art connects with collectors on an emotional level. Doug has been juried into and regularly appears in shows and exhibitions throughout the United States. His work is appreciated and can be found in private collections throughout the country. He is a member of prominent watercolor organizations and is a signature member of the Virginia Watercolor Society and the Southern Watercolor Society.
Try It! Multimedia Workshop
Try It! Multimedia Workshop
Saturday, October 25th and Sunday, October 26
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join Juli Schuszler on Saturday, October 25th and Sunday, October 26th from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM for a multimedia workshop at Arts on Main!
Have you been eager to try a different medium but didn’t want to invest in materials before discovering if it was right for you? If so, this two-day workshop is the perfect fit. Over the course of two weekend afternoons, you will experiment with oil pastels, oil paint, gouache, and chalk pastel. Join local artist and teacher Juli Schuszler to create with each of these four media. You will paint a small landscape with oils and a still life with oil pastels. You will also create a landscape with gouache and soft pastel. Juli will give you step-by-step directions in the application of materials.
All materials will be provided so the cost will be minimal, but the fun will be maximum. All levels of experience are welcome, from beginner to experienced. Feel free to bring your favorite (non-alcoholic) beverages and snacks to make the class even more special. Bring a friend, neighbor, relative, or spouse for this fun and engaging class.
FOR AGES 18+
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Juli Schuszler is a Gloucester artist known for her vibrant and dramatic oil masterpieces showcasing the beauty of the natural world. A passion for color is evident in Juli's paintings, inspired by an ongoing love of nature and gardening. Much of Juli’s inspiration comes from her garden. Juli works from real life observations and her own reference photos, focusing on the play of light and shadow, creating drama and visual interest in her art. Often working on large canvases, Juli paints carefully and slowly, creating numerous layers of paint, building as she goes. Juli says, “I like to search for striking and dramatic light in the images that I collect for my references.... I want to transport the viewer to a beautiful world of color and light with my paintings, to take them into a garden of delight!” Anyone can see that the common thread through all her artwork is a love of color and light. Retired from careers in commercial art and then in teaching Art and English in public school, college, and university, Juli now pursues her own art in her home studio. Her artworks are featured in the Bay School for the Arts, The Charles H. Taylor Art Center, and the Crossroads Art Center as well as the RAL Art Center Gallery.
Carving the Human Figure *CLASS FULL
Carving the Human Figure *CLASS FULL
Saturday, February 15 & Sunday, February 16
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Join Christopher Wagner on Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM for a 2-Day Woodcarving Workshop at Arts on Main!
This 2-day workshop is an introduction to carving the human figure in wood. Tools and techniques will be introduced along with hands-on guidance in carving a figure. Materials and tools will be provided in a take-home kit. We will look at and discuss historical examples and then create your own original carving. In the second session, we will continue with carving guidance but also introduce wood finishing options. Materials for mixing your own traditional milk paints will be provided.
For ages 11+ (parental attendance is required for ages 15 and younger)
*CLASS FULL
If you would like to be put on a waitlist, call Arts on Main at (804) 824 - 9464.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Christopher B. Wagner is a sculptor originally from Kentucky but has lived and worked all over the country. In the summer of 2022, he relocated from the West Coast to Williamsburg, VA to work at William & Mary University. He received a B.A. in art history and sculpture from Georgetown College after which he studied Sculpture at Edinboro University in which he graduated in 2010 with an M.F.A. He has been making and exhibiting his art ever since his work can currently be seen at Linda Matney Gallery in Williamsburg, VA, Guardino Gallery in Portland, OR, Imogen Gallery in Astoria, OR, and the Compound Gallery in Oakland, CA. His awards have included a Jurors Choice at Cherry Creek Art Festival, exhibitor at the Smithsonian Craft Show, the Glean Artist Grant, and the Emerging Artist Award from Portland Open Studios. His figurative woodcarvings use recycled lumber as the medium. Utilizing traditional carving skills in the creation of contemporary sculpture. The reclaimed material he sculpts in provides a sense of history that influences what he creates.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Oil Painting Class
Oil Painting Class
Every Thursday Afternoon
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Join Renate Bumgarner at Arts on Main every Thursday from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM for an Oil Painting Class!
Bring your work and let Renate help you go to the next level. She is an expert in oil and watercolor. Bring a photo or reproduction of a painting to work on, as large as possible and clear. Keep it simple.
Students are required to bring their own supplies. Click the button below to view supply list.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Renate Bumgarner is an award winning European born artist who studied and worked during her early years in Germany. A widow at 29, she studied art in Frankfurt and later in Wurzburg at the Institute of Art. While working for the US Military in Germany, she was an instructor at the Education Center in Schweinfurt.
in 1976, she and her new husband moved to Virginia, where again she studied art at Thomas Nelson Community College and worked with many well known artists in the area. At this time she started working with stained glass. Currently, she works primarily in oil, watercolor and pastel. She has received many awards at shows and exhibitions over the past years-too many to list.
In 1996, a widow again, she moved to the Middle Peninsula. She and a friend started the Art League of Gloucester where she became the leagues first president. She is currently volunteering at several co-op galleries.
Renate Bumgarner continues to display her works in Europe at select galleries. You can find her work locally displayed at galleries in Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Mathews and Yorktown Virginia. The Village Gallery and Gloucester Arts on Main both show her work. Private and Corporate commissions Welcome.
Palette Knife Workshop: Winter Beauty
Palette Knife Workshop:
Winter Beauty
Saturday, February 8
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join Rebecca West on Saturday, February 8th from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM for a palette knife workshop at Arts on Main!
We will create a beautiful winter scene using a palette knife and paint. If so inclined a brush can be used. A variety of techniques will be demonstrated prior to starting the painting. This is a wet-on-wet painting if you are using oil paints. There is an emphasis on creation in this workshop, rather than perfect reproduction.
FOR AGES 11+
*Students are required to bring their own supplies.
SUPPLY LIST:
Paint: Ultramarine/cobalt, Teal/cerulean,White, Alizarin crimson, Lemon yellow, Burnt umber
Palette knives/medium / small size elongated teardrop style
Brushes
16x20 canvas
Palette paper for paint
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
“I believe each individual has the potential to create a masterpiece, even with very little experience if the effort comes from a true desire to express the inner self. Using a palette knife gives the creator another tool to add to a growing toolbox.”
February First Friday: Watercolor Exhibit
February First Friday:
”The Watercolor Palette”
featuring
Rick Griffin, Ellen DeMaria, Catherine Hillis, Michael Kravchak, Jackie Merritt, Doug Mock, Tenley Raithel, and Robert Schuler
Opening Reception: Friday, February 7th
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Join us at Arts on Main this February for “The Watercolor Palette”! This group show features eight incredible artists who all specialize in watercolor. Through realism, abstract, contemporary, and combinations of all three, these eight artists bring their different styles together to show you the wide spectrum of the watercolor palette!
The show will open on Friday, February 7th from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Lite bites will be served and wine and beer will be available for purchase. Live music will be provided by Jerry Sowers. This exhibit will be on display at Arts on Main until Saturday, March 1st.
Many Thanks to our February Exhibit sponsors, Vera & Chris Green!
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
RICK GRIFFIN
“I am a Forensic Psychologist in private practice and I live in Gloucester on the Ware River with my wife Gail. About ten years ago I enrolled in art classes at Gloucester Arts on Main and received instruction in various mediums such as oil, watercolor, acrylics and began exploring various subject matter. As an avid sailor, boater and oyster grower I have a natural interest in anything that happens on or in the Chesapeake Bay. My subjects have ranged from catamarans to crabs. I love nature and enjoy immersing myself in the outdoors as often as possible. As I psychologist I have an innate interest in people and, consequently, portrait painting has had a strong pull for me as well.”
ELLEN DEMARIA
Ellen DeMaria paints watercolors, acrylics, and mixed media with an expressive brushstroke, often depicting her beloved waters of the Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia, as well as the ocean nearby. Ellen’s family owns a seafood business which has given her insight into the often-rugged waterman’s life and the inherent beauty in the rustic elements surrounding that livelihood.
She refers to her painting style as “abstract realism” and when painting each day, she states that is a very intuitive process. While frequently inspired by an image–either up-close or from a photo–her paintings often begin with an idea that leads her to create unexpected artworks, hopefully evoking feelings for the viewer. Ellen has been painting for about 35 years, and continues to take workshops and painting seminars with some of the country’s finest watercolorists.
Find Ellen’s work at https://www.ellendemariaart.com/
CATHERINE HILLIS
Catherine Hillis resides in Central Virginia.
For the past 30 years, she has exhibited at numerous galleries, museums and art centers, both public and private, around the world. She authors comprehensive articles about watercolor painting and competes on the national plein air circuit as well as in international watercolor exhibitions, winning hundreds of awards.
“I paint. It's the thing I do best. I create light and movement with watercolors. When I see a scene with a story and the light is just right, I must paint. I find myself painting places that folks pass every day but fail to recognize the beauty. Many people say I see color and light that isn't there. I contend that I'm observing things as they really are, at least to me. Whenever possible, I try to make a statement through my work, employing a playful twist or edge that a viewer can appreciate.”
Find Catherine’s work at https://www.catherinehillis.com/
Michael S. Kravchak , Sr.
“I majored in architecture in college, with a minor in art history. I studied under Professor Amy Fell, Professor John Gardner, and Sculpture Professor, J. Cherry. I have always enjoyed the Arts, and I have experimented in many mediums, i.e., pencil, oils, acrylics, pen and ink, and clay sculpture.
For many years, I painted and sketched for relaxation; however, I always wanted to learn to work in watercolor. Upon my retirement as a District Manager from UGI, an energy company, I took my first course in watercolor with Robert Burnell at Portsmouth Fine Arts Institute. I have also taken a semester course with Betty Anglin at Christopher Newport University.
I have found my greatest challenge and satisfaction working in watercolor. I enjoy painting local and historical scenes from the Tidewater area and along the Chesapeake Bay. I also enjoy painting scenes from the Outer Banks of North Carolina and many other beautiful places I have been fortunate enough to visit.
I am a member of the Charles H. Taylor Art Center and Yorktown Arts Foundation.”
JACKIE MERRITT
Jacqueline is a visual artist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. In these two creative worlds (art and music), she is known by most as “Jackie” and is considered by many, a Renaissance woman.
A native of Norfolk, Virginia, in 1968 Jackie earned her BFA in Art Education from Norfolk State College (now, University). In 1970, she earned a Master of Arts degree with emphasis in Painting, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Additionally, she was the recipient of two Graduate Fellowships from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond and the other from the University of Wisconsin. After graduating, her first teaching position was at Elizabeth City State University, Instructor (Painting/Drawing); followed by University of Wisconsin, Madison, Visiting Lecturer (Drawing, 2D and 3D Design); then Norfolk State University, Instructor (Painting & Drawing); followed by Virginia Commonwealth University, Assistant Professor (Undergraduate and Graduate Painting/Drawing).
Find Jackie’s work at https://www.jackieamerritt.com/
DOUG MOCK
”I grew up in a beautiful dairy farming community in Central Pennsylvania. I was an enthusiastic artist in elementary and junior high school and then, like so many others, chose the academic path and ended up in corporate America. My creative energy was lost.
In 2005, in a leap of faith to start my own business I left, what many would call a great job and exciting career. Since then I have been the owner and managing director of Young Rembrandts. We teach children how to draw. During this time, my passion and excitement for art has been re-energized. I see my world like never before; and in doing so am finding inspiration all around.
In this technology driven, fast-paced, "gotta have it" world I have found an escape in my art. I am enjoying life's simplicity; being at peace when drawing, painting and simply creating. I have new passion, new energy and new enthusiasm for life. My wish for you...find your passion, share it with those you love, share it with the world: you will be thankful that you did!“
Find Doug’s work at http://www.dougmockfineart.com/
TENLEY RAITHEL
Tenley creates her artworks using oil and watercolor in a style that reflects a modern approach to color theory. According to Tenley, she seeks an avenue of balance and focus through her paintings.
“Our current culture is looking for not only beautiful art, but art that speaks to them in a way that moves them. My paints are the tools I use to create that possibility.”
Tenley lives with her husband and rescue cat, working in her upstairs studio, in their 1890’s home in Historic Yorktown, Virginia. She has raised a family and lived internationally with her husband’s naval career, always finding a place in her life for creativity. After retiring from a teaching career, she began to focus on art full-time. She has found art to be an engaging and uplifting way to express herself. Tenley has recently observed the impact colors can have to bring balance into lives that are searching. The colors in her paintings connect with the viewers and create a subliminal response that can be felt. Her paintings combine both spontaneous gestural strokes as well as reflective, cerebral approaches; some images based on visual reality and others in a distinctly abstract mode. Tenley usually has a cup of tea in her hand as she stands back and contemplates her ongoing work, with a palette of paints and brushes ready when her inner voice feels an urge. Her strongly spiritual nature leads her to rely heavily on God’s voice to direct her images and she shares credit for her creative expression.
Find Tenley’s work at https://www.tenleyraithel.com/
ROBERT SCHULER
Robert j. Schuler (Bob) has largely been self-taught for most of his 49 years as an Artist with some early limited formal training at a community college. Watercolor is Bob’s preferred medium.
Bob’s art journey began in high school. As a boy, he dreamt of becoming an architect, so he took Mechanical Drafting where he learned to be very precise with his drawing. Much of that detail is evident in his paintings today. After High School, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Often, while at sea, Bob would sketch and paint with Acrylics during his down time; that is where he discovered his passion for art.
After the Navy and some college, he worked in the Washington DC area, for 43 years, as a Navy Defense Contractor. During that time, he continued to paint.
Bob has painted primarily in watercolors for over 35 years. He loves watercolors because of the immediacy of the medium and the way the pigment responds on paper to his personal interpretation of the subject.
Bob is inspired by rural old buildings, Victorian homes, and old work boats. He also enjoys capturing portraits of cherished homes, beloved pets and other animals.
Through his art, Bob tries to preserve and communicate the beauty that he sees through his camera’s viewfinder. His goal is to always capture the true beauty that surrounds us and hopes those who view his art can see that beauty.
Bob is currently represented at Gloucester Arts on Main Gallery and the Kilmarnock RAL Art Center Gallery. His studio is in Providence Forge, Virginia where he lives with his wife and their Springer Spaniel.
Find Bob’s work at https://www.robertjschulerartist.com/
Live music will be performed by local musician, Jerry Sowers.
Many Thanks to our First Friday Music Sponsor, Yolanda’s!
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Oil Painting Class
Oil Painting Class
Every Thursday Afternoon
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Join Renate Bumgarner at Arts on Main every Thursday from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM for an Oil Painting Class!
Bring your work and let Renate help you go to the next level. She is an expert in oil and watercolor. Bring a photo or reproduction of a painting to work on, as large as possible and clear. Keep it simple.
Students are required to bring their own supplies. Click the button below to view supply list.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Renate Bumgarner is an award winning European born artist who studied and worked during her early years in Germany. A widow at 29, she studied art in Frankfurt and later in Wurzburg at the Institute of Art. While working for the US Military in Germany, she was an instructor at the Education Center in Schweinfurt.
in 1976, she and her new husband moved to Virginia, where again she studied art at Thomas Nelson Community College and worked with many well known artists in the area. At this time she started working with stained glass. Currently, she works primarily in oil, watercolor and pastel. She has received many awards at shows and exhibitions over the past years-too many to list.
In 1996, a widow again, she moved to the Middle Peninsula. She and a friend started the Art League of Gloucester where she became the leagues first president. She is currently volunteering at several co-op galleries.
Renate Bumgarner continues to display her works in Europe at select galleries. You can find her work locally displayed at galleries in Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Mathews and Yorktown Virginia. The Village Gallery and Gloucester Arts on Main both show her work. Private and Corporate commissions Welcome.
Paint Party: Snowy Sunrise
Paint Party: Snowy Sunrise ❄️🌅
Saturday, February 1
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join Juli Schuszler on Saturday, February 1st from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM for a paint party at Arts on Main!
Take a break from the bleak winter and join Gloucester artist Juli Schuszler for a fun and relaxed painting party. Using acrylic paint on an 11" x 14" canvas, paint a colorful "Snowy Sunrise.” Juli will provide all the materials you will need, including the paint, brushes, and canvas. You will receive a reference image and a handout with step-by-step instructions. Special instructions will be given to those needing help mixing colors and applying the paint to create this brilliantly colored winter forest scene. Feel free to bring your favorite non-alcoholic beverages and snacks to make the event more fun. Invite a friend, neighbor, relative, or spouse to join this fun and engaging event.
FOR AGES 18+
Beginner-friendly. All levels welcomed!
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Juli Schuszler is a Gloucester artist known for her vibrant and dramatic oil masterpieces showcasing the beauty of the natural world. A passion for color is evident in Juli's paintings, inspired by an ongoing love of nature and gardening. Much of Juli’s inspiration comes from her garden. Juli works from real life observations and her own reference photos, focusing on the play of light and shadow, creating drama and visual interest in her art. Often working on large canvases, Juli paints carefully and slowly, creating numerous layers of paint, building as she goes. Juli says, “I like to search for striking and dramatic light in the images that I collect for my references.... I want to transport the viewer to a beautiful world of color and light with my paintings, to take them into a garden of delight!” Anyone can see that the common thread through all her artwork is a love of color and light. Retired from careers in commercial art and then in teaching Art and English in public school, college, and university, Juli now pursues her own art in her home studio. Her artworks are featured in the Bay School for the Arts, The Charles H. Taylor Art Center, and the Crossroads Art Center as well as the RAL Art Center Gallery.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Oil Painting Class
Oil Painting Class
Every Thursday Afternoon
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Join Renate Bumgarner at Arts on Main every Thursday from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM for an Oil Painting Class!
Bring your work and let Renate help you go to the next level. She is an expert in oil and watercolor. Bring a photo or reproduction of a painting to work on, as large as possible and clear. Keep it simple.
Students are required to bring their own supplies. Click the button below to view supply list.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Renate Bumgarner is an award winning European born artist who studied and worked during her early years in Germany. A widow at 29, she studied art in Frankfurt and later in Wurzburg at the Institute of Art. While working for the US Military in Germany, she was an instructor at the Education Center in Schweinfurt.
in 1976, she and her new husband moved to Virginia, where again she studied art at Thomas Nelson Community College and worked with many well known artists in the area. At this time she started working with stained glass. Currently, she works primarily in oil, watercolor and pastel. She has received many awards at shows and exhibitions over the past years-too many to list.
In 1996, a widow again, she moved to the Middle Peninsula. She and a friend started the Art League of Gloucester where she became the leagues first president. She is currently volunteering at several co-op galleries.
Renate Bumgarner continues to display her works in Europe at select galleries. You can find her work locally displayed at galleries in Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Mathews and Yorktown Virginia. The Village Gallery and Gloucester Arts on Main both show her work. Private and Corporate commissions Welcome.
Chinese Seal Printing Workshop CLASS FULL!
Chinese Seal Printing Workshop CLASS FULL!
Saturday, January 25th
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Join Mary Swezey at Arts on Main on Saturday, January 25th from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM for a Chinese Seal Printing Workshop!
Following a brief discussion about the significance of the Chinese Seal (or chop), participants will translate their names into Chinese characters on paper. The characters will be transferred to soft printmaking blocks (Safety Kut) and cut out using carving tools. The carved blocks will inked and printed on blank greeting cards, with each student creating her/his own set of Chinese Seal cards to frame or send.
All supplies will be provided by the instructor.
FOR AGES 16+
Registration deadline is Friday, January 17th at 5:00 PM
For Pay What You Can options, please contact Arts on Main at (804) 824-9464
This program has been organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and is funded, in part, by the Paul Mellon Endowment and the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.
CLASS FULL!
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Mary Swezey has a BFA in art history from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MFA in fibers from Arizona State University. She has also studied textile techniques at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. She has taught at Virginia Commonwealth University and Longwood College as well as VMFA.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Oil Painting Class
Oil Painting Class
Every Thursday Afternoon
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Join Renate Bumgarner at Arts on Main every Thursday from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM for an Oil Painting Class!
Bring your work and let Renate help you go to the next level. She is an expert in oil and watercolor. Bring a photo or reproduction of a painting to work on, as large as possible and clear. Keep it simple.
Students are required to bring their own supplies. Click the button below to view supply list.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Renate Bumgarner is an award winning European born artist who studied and worked during her early years in Germany. A widow at 29, she studied art in Frankfurt and later in Wurzburg at the Institute of Art. While working for the US Military in Germany, she was an instructor at the Education Center in Schweinfurt.
in 1976, she and her new husband moved to Virginia, where again she studied art at Thomas Nelson Community College and worked with many well known artists in the area. At this time she started working with stained glass. Currently, she works primarily in oil, watercolor and pastel. She has received many awards at shows and exhibitions over the past years-too many to list.
In 1996, a widow again, she moved to the Middle Peninsula. She and a friend started the Art League of Gloucester where she became the leagues first president. She is currently volunteering at several co-op galleries.
Renate Bumgarner continues to display her works in Europe at select galleries. You can find her work locally displayed at galleries in Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Mathews and Yorktown Virginia. The Village Gallery and Gloucester Arts on Main both show her work. Private and Corporate commissions Welcome.
Watercolor Painting series CLASS FULL!
Watercolor Painting -
Lets Think outside the Box!
Every Monday Evening
January 20th - February 24th
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Join Doug Mock at Arts on Main every Monday, January 20th - February 24th from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM for a watercolor series!
Doug Mock is excited to kick off his winter schedule of watercolor classes! This series is open to beginners that have experience, knowledge, and confidence with watercolor. Working from your own reference materials, artists will learn to use a variety of tools, techniques, and skills necessary to make every painting the best it can be. Doug will provide weekly demonstrations, and provide individual attention to each participant. Artists will gain valuable knowledge of color mixing and color theory, while continuing to build the skills required to have success with watercolor. Artists will learn the importance of planning for success as it relates to choosing subject matter and then painting successfully and with confidence.During this class series, Doug plans to push the envelope and have every artist “stretch” themselves more than they’ve ever stretched before. Learn to mix color with confidence, challenge yourself to take risks, think outside the box, and have fun!
This class is for any beginner or intermediate artist that has participated in one or more watercolor workshops.
FOR AGES 16+
*All students are required to bring their own supplies. Click the button below to view the supply list.
Cost is $270/per student for entire series
CLASS FULL!
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Doug Mock is an award-winning watercolor artist and teacher living in White Stone, Virginia. Born in 1966 in Central Pennsylvania he was raised in a small dairy farming community where strong work ethic, love of family and appreciation of nature were of major importance. Doug is mostly self-taught, with significant influence by figurative watercolorist Mary Whyte. Mock creates art inspired by people and nature. His work is characterized by unique design, bold color and creative subject matter. Capturing life’s simple moments, Doug’s art connects with collectors on an emotional level. Doug has been juried into and regularly appears in shows and exhibitions throughout the United States. His work is appreciated and can be found in private collections throughout the country. He is a member of prominent watercolor organizations and is a signature member of the Virginia Watercolor Society and the Southern Watercolor Society.
Create Your Own 3D Barn Quilt! *CLASS FULL
Create Your Own 3D Barn Quilt:
A Hands-On Acrylic Painting Experience *CLASS FULL
Saturday, January 18
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join Karen Wade on Saturday, January 18th from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM for a hands-on acrylic painting experience at Arts on Main!
Bring a touch of handmade charm to your home with a custom 3D barn quilt! Join us at Arts on Main on January 18, 2025, from 1-4 pm, to create a one-of-a-kind piece designed just for your space. In this immersive workshop, you’ll paint a 2-foot square barn quilt with 3D details on plywood, using a pre-printed design as your canvas. Choose your own color palette and learn techniques for smooth, rich color application, adding contrast and texture to make your barn quilt uniquely yours. Plus, discover tips for sealing and displaying your work at home, so it becomes a lasting treasure in your decor. Perfect for all skill levels, this workshop blends creativity with the rustic beauty of barn quilt art!
FOR AGES 18+
All supplies will be provided by the instructor. Bring a friend and come have fun!
CLASS FULL
If you would like to be put on a waitlist, call Arts on Main at (804) 824 - 9464.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
“Hi, I’m Karen Wade, the artist behind The Joyful Paintbrush. I believe we all can make art, and I love helping people explore the fun that is making art. With more than 20 years of teaching art, I have the experience to help you create something amazing!”
young artists! (2nd & 3rd Grade) CLASS FULL!
Young artists!
(2nd and 3rd Grade) CLASS FULL!
SIX SESSIONS:
Friday, January 17th
Friday, January 24th
Friday, January 31st
Friday, February 7th
Friday, February 14th
Friday, February 21st
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
During this course, students complete STEAM-based art lessons (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) that address current Standards of Learning (SOL) objectives. Our goals are to provide hands-on experiential learning through art making and to increase student understanding of math and science concepts. Students will learn about two-dimensional shapes, explore color schemes, and create masterpieces using a variety of mediums and the process of art technique.
All supplies will be provided by the instructor. For children ages 7-9.
At the end of the course, one art piece from each student will be displayed and featured in a reception at Arts on Main on Thursday, February 27th from 5:30pm - 6:30pm. One piece will be awarded best in show! We hope to see each student and their families!
Cost is $5/per student for the entire course.
CLASS FULL!
Due to high demand, please let Arts on Main know if you need to relinquish your student’s seat so that we can contact others from the waitlist. Thank you!
“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” - Pablo Picasso
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Meet Anne Atkinson! Anne holds a degree in Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has worked as a Scenic Artist for theatre for many years. Anne has taught art to people of all ages- from toddlers to seniors. She was raised in a family that embraced education and the arts…music and painting. Singing and dancing were always part of her life.
Thank you to our generous sponsors who make this program possible!
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
ARTIST TALK: World of Weaving
ARTIST TALK: World of Weaving
Thursday, January 16th
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Presented by the Middle Peninsula Fine Arts Association (MPFAA)
For over 25,000 years, people around the world have created woven fabrics from plant and animal fibers, making complex and colorful works of art that reflect the cultural and artistic diversity of their creators. While only fragments of these earliest textiles have been found in archaeological contexts, the legacy of these ancient artists has both survived and thrived. Today, fiber artists use ancient (and modern) techniques to recreate and expand on this early art form and make beautiful, functional art that is rapidly gaining popularity. Modern handweaving is widely recognized a heritage art that produces quality items while also having a positive impact on mental health. In this talk, Kathryn Swanson, an avid weaver, explores a brief overview of the ancient history of weaving, the variety of woven fabrics, and the mechanics of handweaving on a modern loom.
This talk is free and open to the public!
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Kathryn “Kate” Swanson’s love of art began at an early age with art classes starting when she was about five years old. Since then, she has explored a wide variety of media including painting, drawing, pastel, pottery, glass, and fiber. Today, she primarily works in fiber, embracing a medium and technique that she has loved since elementary school. She sees her weaving as a meditative practice that is both calming and exhilarating, and she loves creating works of art that are aesthetically pleasing and often functional. Taking the cloth off the loom and realizing that she’s transformed yarn into handwoven art is one of her favorite parts of being an artist. When she is not weaving, Kate is the Executive Director of Gloucester Arts on Main.
This program has been organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and is funded, in part, by the Paul Mellon Endowment and the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.
Oil Painting Class
Oil Painting Class
Every Thursday Afternoon
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Join Renate Bumgarner at Arts on Main every Thursday from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM for an Oil Painting Class!
Bring your work and let Renate help you go to the next level. She is an expert in oil and watercolor. Bring a photo or reproduction of a painting to work on, as large as possible and clear. Keep it simple.
Students are required to bring their own supplies. Click the button below to view supply list.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Renate Bumgarner is an award winning European born artist who studied and worked during her early years in Germany. A widow at 29, she studied art in Frankfurt and later in Wurzburg at the Institute of Art. While working for the US Military in Germany, she was an instructor at the Education Center in Schweinfurt.
in 1976, she and her new husband moved to Virginia, where again she studied art at Thomas Nelson Community College and worked with many well known artists in the area. At this time she started working with stained glass. Currently, she works primarily in oil, watercolor and pastel. She has received many awards at shows and exhibitions over the past years-too many to list.
In 1996, a widow again, she moved to the Middle Peninsula. She and a friend started the Art League of Gloucester where she became the leagues first president. She is currently volunteering at several co-op galleries.
Renate Bumgarner continues to display her works in Europe at select galleries. You can find her work locally displayed at galleries in Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Mathews and Yorktown Virginia. The Village Gallery and Gloucester Arts on Main both show her work. Private and Corporate commissions Welcome.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Native Gourds!
Native Gourds!
Thursday, January 9th
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Drawing, Wood-Burning, & Painting on Gourds
Join Ethan Brown at Arts on Main on Thursday, January 9th from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM for a Native Gourd Workshop!
Ethan will talk about his gourd art journey and demonstrate his crafting process which involves wood burning a line drawing into the gourd shell before applying paints, stains, etc. Gourds and supplies will be provided for you to craft along!
FOR AGES 13+
ABOUT ETHAN BROWN
Ethan Brown is a tribal citizen of the Pamunkey Indian Reservation. He is a filmmaker and visual artist working in multiple mediums including gourd art. Ethan has completed commissions of gourd art for such entities as the Valentine Museum, the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, among others. His gourd art is often inspired by Virginia’s flora and fauna, as well as Pamunkey history and culture. The gourd crafting process involves wood burning a line drawing into the gourd’s hard shell, before applying various paints and stains.
Oil Painting Class
Oil Painting Class
Every Thursday Afternoon
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Join Renate Bumgarner at Arts on Main every Thursday from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM for an Oil Painting Class!
Bring your work and let Renate help you go to the next level. She is an expert in oil and watercolor. Bring a photo or reproduction of a painting to work on, as large as possible and clear. Keep it simple.
Students are required to bring their own supplies. Click the button below to view supply list.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Renate Bumgarner is an award winning European born artist who studied and worked during her early years in Germany. A widow at 29, she studied art in Frankfurt and later in Wurzburg at the Institute of Art. While working for the US Military in Germany, she was an instructor at the Education Center in Schweinfurt.
in 1976, she and her new husband moved to Virginia, where again she studied art at Thomas Nelson Community College and worked with many well known artists in the area. At this time she started working with stained glass. Currently, she works primarily in oil, watercolor and pastel. She has received many awards at shows and exhibitions over the past years-too many to list.
In 1996, a widow again, she moved to the Middle Peninsula. She and a friend started the Art League of Gloucester where she became the leagues first president. She is currently volunteering at several co-op galleries.
Renate Bumgarner continues to display her works in Europe at select galleries. You can find her work locally displayed at galleries in Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Mathews and Yorktown Virginia. The Village Gallery and Gloucester Arts on Main both show her work. Private and Corporate commissions Welcome.
Basic Drop Spindle Workshop
Basic Drop Spindle Workshop
Saturday, January 4 & January 11th
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join Sara McCourt on Saturday, January 4th and January 11th from 1-4pm for a Basic Drop Spindle Workshop at Arts on Main!
In this class, the students will learn the basics of spinning wool on a spindle. This is a two part class. In the first class we will learn the basics of drafting and spinning a single ply yarn on a spindle. One week later the students will come together and learn how to ply two singles into a final 2 ply yarn using their spindles. They will also learn how to finish their yarn for use in other projects.
All supplies will be provided by the instructor.
FOR AGES 13+
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Sara McCourt An avid knitter, Sara found that the needles in her hands were the gateway tool to a deeper passion: fiber. Wondering about the sourcing and processing of her mail-order wools led her to complete her Master’s Spinning Certification program at the Olds College in Alberta, Canada. She then began to use her handspun yarns in weaving. This of course led to the use of natural and synthetic dyes in her work. Now,Sara spins and dyes her own yarn, fibers, and fabrics for use in her various fiber arts.
new year, new art!
NEW YEAR, NEW ART!
Opening Reception: Friday, January 3rd, 5:30 PM - 7:30PM
featuring
Laurie Breakwell, Elizabeth Brown, Ethan Brown, Al Bryan, Gloria Coker, Victoria Dreelin, Averelle Dylan, Toy Fowler, Jessica Hedrick, Brenda Sylvia, and Kristina Turner
Join Arts on Main this January for “New Year, New Art”, featuring art never before shown at Arts on Main! Using pottery, mixed media, paint, and more, these eleven artists stretch their creativity in new and exciting ways. Make it a New Year’s Resolution to spend more time with art and don’t miss your chance to view all of the fresh & new art featured for the New Year!
This show will open on Friday, January 3rd from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Live music will be provided by Micah Foxx. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served and beer + wine will be available for purchase. The show will be on display at Arts on Main until Saturday, February 1st.
Many thanks to our January Exhibit Sponsors, Walt Evaniak & Mike Ivey!
Meet a few of the Exhibiting Artists…
LAURIE BREAKWELL
Laurie Breakwell is a 9 year resident of Kilmarnock, having relocated from the Florida Keys. Though more at home as a performing artist she has become increasingly enamored of the visual arts and the people who create it. A class in glass on glass mosaics in 2018 through RAL Art Center in Kilmarnock, led Laurie, in a round about way, to purchase a small kiln and some glass to try her hand at fusing. It took but one little project in that small kiln to know LOTS more glass and a much larger kiln was needed.
Now an exhibiting fused glass artist at RAL Art Center, she has been honored with numerous ribbons in their monthly themed and Labor Day Art Shows for her glass pieces as well as mixed media and fiber works. Including the People’s Choice award for the “You be the Judge” Exhibit in 2022, an Honorable Mention at the Labor Day Art Show in 2021, a Second Place for her entry in the LDAS 2022, and her mixed media piece took Best in Show in 2023. Throughout the years she has also had numerous fiber pieces featured in Quilting Arts Magazine and the now defunct Cloth, Paper, Scissors Magazine.
ELIZABETH BROWN
Lizzie Brown is a Richmond-based artist and owner of From The Core Art Studio. She received a dual degree in Painting and Printmaking and Art Education, with a minor in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University. A former art educator in the public- and private-school sectors for over seven years, Lizzie continues to foster a love for art in our youth, while pursuing her creative endeavors. Since becoming a full-time artist in July of 2021, Lizzie has presented two solo exhibits, in addition to displaying her art in various galleries and spaces throughout Richmond, Charlottesville, Williamsburg, D.C. Maryland, and North and South Carolina. She has worked in conjunction with the Mending Walls Project, vends in pop-up markets in surrounding areas, and leads art camps and experiences at different locations in Richmond.
Find Lizzie’s work here: https://www.fromthecoreartstudio.com/
ETHAN BROWN
Ethan Brown is a tribal citizen of the Pamunkey Indian Reservation. He is a filmmaker and visual artist working in multiple mediums including gourd art. Ethan has completed commissions of gourd art for such entities as the Valentine Museum, the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, among others. His gourd art is often inspired by Virginia’s flora and fauna, as well as Pamunkey history and culture. The gourd crafting process involves wood burning a line drawing into the gourd’s hard shell, before applying various paints and stains.
AL BRYAN
Al Bryan is a professional landscape architect (retired) and fine artist with Albert Bryan Fine Art Studio.
Having grown up in rural North Carolina surrounded by forest and farmland, spending summer vacations in the mountains and along the coast, Al enjoys painting nature's awe-inspiring moments, capturing relics of the past and telling family tales in pastel and graphite.
Wildlife (native birds in particular), old boats and rusty trucks are among his favorite subjects to paint. Al also enjoys creating pet portraits on commission.
Find Al’s work here: https://www.facebook.com/AlbertArtStudio/?locale=nn_NO
GLORIA COKER
Artist Gloria Coker was was an illustrator for the Newport News, Virginia Daily Press (a Chicago Tribune newspaper) newsroom for twelve years before pursuing her career as a professional fine artist. Her work there included illustrating newsroom and feature stories as well as courtroom art, which appeared in the newspaper and on TV. The 2021 Netflix documentary, “The Innocence Files” showcases some of her work. Her work for the police departments depicting the perpetrators of crimes has resulted in convictions.
She was a volunteer as the artist at the Virginia Living Museum, painting and drawing for children and guests. Gloria also demonstrates in college classrooms and for fundraising auctions such the New American Theater in Hampton, Virginia. She has been a guest speaker lecturing on her art through the South.
Her loose and vivid acrylics capture her feelings about people of all ages as they engage in their passions and everyday activities. She displays most of her art including musicians and dancers, in the office of Associates in Dermatology in Hampton, Virginia and in her studio by appointment. Her collectors are worldwide. Her awards are numerous.
Find Gloria’s work here: https://gloriacokerfineart.com/about/
AVERELLE DYLAN
“I am Averelle Dylan ~ an artist and photographer focused on capturing the beauty of the natural world. I am based in the Northern Neck end of the Middle Peninsula of Virginia where I was born and raised. I grew up on the water completely surrounded by the wild splendor that is so abundant in this region. It was quite literally, everywhere I looked, so I developed a deep connection with the outdoor world from a very young age. I’m still consumed by the allure of nature, and my camera is merely an extension of my fascination. The magical dance of light and shadow is a constant evolution as light changes through different weather, seasons or even the hours of the day. I very purposefully place myself within this sacred space finding my own rhythm, my own voice through my lens. And so I wander, camera in hand, forever enthralled by the magic of earth’s palette, forever seeking to capture the beauty of this dance, as it reveals the textures, forms and moods of our beautiful, beautiful world.”
Find Averelle’s work here: https://www.averelledylan.net/
TOY FOWLER
Toy is a Virginia artist that began his studies with local tidewater artist Jack Clifton at age 10. He pursued his degree at Virginia Commonwealth University art program where he received a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts. He later studied at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginian where he attended numerous classes and workshops with Robert Liberace, a selected Living Master at the Art Renewal Center and board member of the Portrait Society of America. He also attended workshops with Patricia McMahon Rice and Tina Garrett, a Living Master at the Art Renewal Center. His work has been selected multiple times as finalist in the Portrait Society annual Members Only competition and as a semi-finalist in the Art Renewal Center’s annual salon.
JESSICA HEDRICK
“As a teaching artist, my work is deeply rooted in the belief that art is a transformative experience best shared within a community. Pottery, for me, is more than the creation of functional objects—it’s a dialogue between artist, material, and viewer. Every piece is shaped not just by technique, but by the connections we form through the act of making and sharing.
Art-making is a balance of heartbreak and joy—moments of frustration and failure give way to the satisfaction of success. While we could view unexpected results as “mistakes”, each one is a part of the process that brings us closer to understanding. In the classroom, I encourage my students to embrace both the joy of discovery and the vulnerability of imperfection, knowing that each experience adds depth to their personal growth.
Through the act of creating and teaching, I aim to nurture a space where we can evolve together—transforming not just our craft, but ourselves.”
Find Jessica’s work here: https://www.instagram.com/jecca_pots
BRENDA SYLVIA
Brenda Sylvia is passionate about the beauty of nature. It feeds her soul. The act of painting outside and experiencing nature firsthand is an integral part of Brenda’s artwork. She often begins her paintings on location which strengthens her connection to the place which has inspired her. Brenda interprets the landscape she loves and encourages people to feel a deeper connection to the scenes she paints. In 2008, Brenda moved to the US Virgin Islands where she lived and painted for nine years. Living in the bright light of the tropics influenced her artwork by feeding her obsession with color. In 2017 she returned to Virginia where she is again surrounded by inspiring landscapes. Brenda paints scenes from the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and the nearby rural farming communities. In designing her paintings she often combines subjects and enhances colors to express her vision. Brenda is always pushing to further discover her creative voice and loudly expressing it with paint.
Find Brenda’s work here: https://www.silverravenstudios.com/
KRISTINA TURNER
Kristina (Birdie) Turner is an artist based in Mathews, Virginia and Key West, Florida. A graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA, Kristina has developed a self-taught approach to her artistic practice. Her current work focuses on gel plate printing,acrylics, watercolor and monotype techniques while creating layered and textural pieces that explore the vibrant interplay of color and form.
Kristina’s art often features iconic buildings and landscapes,with a particular emphasis on the unique architecture and charm of the places she calls home. Her work celebrates the power of color to evoke emotion and capture the essence of these familiar yet extraordinary locations.
Kristina has exhibited at venues such as The Bay School of the Arts in Mathews, VA, The Studios of Key West and The Key West Art Center & Gallery.

Live music will be performed by Micah Foxx during the opening reception.
Many thanks to our January First Friday Music Sponsors, Walt Evaniak & Mike Ivey!
Live music will be provided by singer-songwriter Micah Foxx, who is known for his work in the folk, jam band, and acoustic pop genres. He has performed solo and with his band in such venues as The Sandler Center, The National, and Union Stage.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Oil Painting Class
Oil Painting Class
Every Thursday Afternoon
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Join Renate Bumgarner at Arts on Main every Thursday from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM for an Oil Painting Class!
Bring your work and let Renate help you go to the next level. She is an expert in oil and watercolor. Bring a photo or reproduction of a painting to work on, as large as possible and clear. Keep it simple.
Students are required to bring their own supplies. Click the button below to view supply list.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Renate Bumgarner is an award winning European born artist who studied and worked during her early years in Germany. A widow at 29, she studied art in Frankfurt and later in Wurzburg at the Institute of Art. While working for the US Military in Germany, she was an instructor at the Education Center in Schweinfurt.
in 1976, she and her new husband moved to Virginia, where again she studied art at Thomas Nelson Community College and worked with many well known artists in the area. At this time she started working with stained glass. Currently, she works primarily in oil, watercolor and pastel. She has received many awards at shows and exhibitions over the past years-too many to list.
In 1996, a widow again, she moved to the Middle Peninsula. She and a friend started the Art League of Gloucester where she became the leagues first president. She is currently volunteering at several co-op galleries.
Renate Bumgarner continues to display her works in Europe at select galleries. You can find her work locally displayed at galleries in Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Mathews and Yorktown Virginia. The Village Gallery and Gloucester Arts on Main both show her work. Private and Corporate commissions Welcome.
We’re CLOSED!
The Gallery will be CLOSED on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2025. We’re grateful for all of our artists, class attendees, donors, and friends! We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 12 noon to 5 pm.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
We’re CLOSED!
The Gallery will be CLOSED on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024. We’re grateful for all of our artists, class attendees, donors, and friends! We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, December 26, 2024, from 12 noon to 5 pm.