May 2025 Show: “brighter days”
featuring
Krystal Bilberry, Jackie Merritt, and Doris Roland
First Friday Opening Reception:
Friday, May 2
5:30pm - 7:30pm
"Brighter Days" features works by three talented Black artists from Tidewater Virginia. Together, Krystal Bilberry, Jackie Merritt, and Doris Roland use acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, and mixed media to depict a wide array of subjects, styles, and colors. While different, their works compliment each other and celebrate the creativity and diversity of Virginia artists. Come see the portraits, landscapes, florals, and abstracts that these gifted women have created!
The opening of this show will take place at Arts on Main on Friday, May 2 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Live music will be provided by Louis Vangieri. Light hor d'oeuvres will be provided and beer + wine will be available for purchase. The show will be on display until Saturday, May 31. The gallery is open Wednesday - Saturday from 12:00pm - 5:00pm.
Many Thanks to our May 2025 Exhibit Sponsors, René Wenleder!
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Krystal Bilberry
Art has held a special place in my heart since childhood. It was rare to find me without crayons and a doll as a little kid, or a sketchbook and pencils as a teen. As I was growing up, art was a safe place and gave me courage when things were difficult for my family. Art became my joy, a hiding place where I could feel special, and lit a path for me to change my future. I was the first in my family to attend a four-year university (James Madison University BFA 2005 and MEd 2007). After graduate school, I took up painting as a pastime, which eventually led me to sell my artwork at small fairs and festivals.
JACKIE MERRITT
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).
DORIS ROLAND
“I have considered myself an artist since I was five years old. However, I have only been engaged fully in creative art for the last ten years. I work with oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed medium. I have studied with award winners James Warwick Jones, the late Bettye Anglin, Holly Etheridge, Jan Ledbetter and numerous others. I have received many art awards. Two paintings were purchased by the City of Hampton and are on permanent display at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Two more recent awards include First Place in the 2018 Regional Juried Show at the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center and 2019 Honorable Mention Award at the Charles Taylor Visual Arts Center Small Works Exhibition. I was invited to display and sell my artwork at the Williamsburg Winery and was quite successful.”
Live music will be provided by Louis Vangieri.
Many Thanks to our May First Friday Music Sponsor, Don & Lourdes Parker!
