The May AAWV meeting was moved indoors due to inclement weather. Special thanks to our President Patty Stewart, who hosted the picnic at her home on short notice! It was a wonderful evening with great food and camaraderie, despite the rain and cool temperatures. Our next meeting will be in September.
ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM PATTY STEWART: Sometimes making art of any kind seems really hard. We need encouragement wherever we can find it, and I often find it in the words of Jed Dorsey, a 4th generation artist in WA. So, I’m sharing his thoughts here in the hopes you’ll take time to paint, sculpt, draw, or whatever discipline you work in and find joy in your efforts today!
“When we set out to create a piece of art, we are working from inspiration and from a map of everything we’ve ever created before. With each piece of art we create, we learn something new. We learn to solve problems within our work and sometimes those problems don’t get worked out until we see them again in a later piece. Sometimes our minds need time to work them out in the background. We see a challenge before us and we’re able to recognize it as a familiar one and suddenly the painting challenge that seemed insurmountable before, becomes solvable. Maybe we’ve gained new skill since the last time we saw it, or maybe we just needed time to internalize a solution, but time and practice is all that’s needed to grow. Time and practice.” ~ Jed Dorsey
AAWV NEW MEMBERSHIP: Our next New Member Jury Session will be held July 12. The sessions are held quarterly and are done digitally. Applicants will send photos of 5 of their artworks, both front and back (to show they are wired), along with the application form and payment, either by check or Paypal on the AAWV website. Applications may be sent to Newman Jackson, New Member Jury Chairman, at
UPCOMING EVENTS:
• GALLERY ELEVEN : Featured artist for June 2025 is AAWV member Linda Stonestreet. She will host a reception on Sun, June 8, 2pm - 4pm. Linda is an abstract artist and her theme for June is “Visual Music”. There will be door prizes and light refreshment, plus all of Linda’s paintings will be available at a sale price of 20% off for Sun, June 8 only. Gallery Eleven, First Floor, 1021 Charleston Town Center Mall, Charleston, WV 25389. www.galleryeleven.com
• SCULPTING WORKSHOP: June 8, 5pm - 7:30pm. You will learn the basics of sculpting the female figure, how to sculpt and add on additional flower decorations, the basics of clay and its properties. Hosted by The Ceramic Sandwich and Beauty Sage Co. 311 Washington St, W., Charleston, WV. 25302. Tickets are $50.00 per person and all materials are provided. Book your ticket by emailing
• ART IS LIFE/LIFE IS ART EXHIBIT: Opening Reception: Fri, June 13, 5pm - 7pm. Exhibit Runs: June 13 - July 15. Parkersburg Art Center, 725 Market St, Parkersburg, WV 26101. www.parkersburgartcenter.org
• CALL FOR ENTRIES: PAC REGIONAL 2025: R.E.S.P.E.C.T: DELIVERY OF ART: All artwork must be delivered to Parkersburg Art Center, 725 Market St, Parkersburg, WV from Tuesday, June 17 to Saturday, June 21 from 10am to 5pm. This show is non-juried. Artists must be 18 or older as of 7/18/25 and live within 100 miles of Parkersburg. You are invited to enter up to 5 ORIGINAL WORKS. Opening Reception & Awards: Fri, July 18, 5pm - 7pm. Exhibit Run: July 18 - Aug 22. All artwork must be picked up Sat, Aug 23, 10am - 5pm at Parkersburg Art Center. PROSPECTUS and ENTRY FORM: www.parkersburgartcenter.org/regional
• BRIGHT LIGHTS IN THE CITY: Image Submission Deadline: June 28. Opening Reception: July 26. Exhibition Run: July 25 - Sept 13. Tamarack, One Tamarack Park, Beckley, WV 25801. www.tamarackwv.com
• SIMPLE FOLK: Image Submission Deadline: Aug 23. Opening Reception: Sept 20. Exhibition Run: Sept 19 - Nov 8. Tamarack, One Tamarack Pk, Beckley, WV 25801. www.tamarackwv.com
• GALLERY ELEVEN will be hosting an ARTY DE-STASH SALE on Fri, Aug 22, & Sat, Aug 23 in the hallway of Town Center Mall in downtown Charleston, WV. Tables will be available to rent. You are welcome to clear out and get rid of any artwork and art items, such as books, magazines, and art supplies. This applies to any of the arts. For more information, contact Jerre Watkins at 304-533-1761.
• GALLERY ELEVEN - CRAZY 8’s SHOW - OPEN CALL TO ALL ARTISTS: Reception: Aug 8, 3pm - 6pm. Exhibit Dates: Aug 1 - Aug 31. Finished size of artwork must be 8” x 8” - ALL MEDIUMS. Entry Fee: $8.00 per entry. All 2D artwork must be ready to hang. All artwork will be priced at $88.00. The Gallery will retain 30% of all sales. Work must be delivered Wednesday - Saturday, 11am - 7pm, and Sunday, 12:30pm - 5:30pm, from July 23 - July 31. Gallery Eleven, 1021 Charleston Town Center Mall, Charleston, WV 25389. www.galleryeleven.com Telephone: 304-382-0083 For more information, Contact: Danielle Milam at
• MODERNIST ECHOES - FROM PICASSO TO WEST VIRGINIA: Runs Through: Aug 31. Juliet Art Museum, Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301. www.theclaycenter.org
• 17th ANNUAL BEST OF WEST VIRGINIA OPEN JURIED EXHIBITION: Exhibition Run: Through July 19. This is the only exhibition for Tamarack’s fine art gallery that gives all West Virginia residents a chance to showcase their work. Tamarack, One Tamarack Park, Beckley, WV 25801. www.tamarackwv.com
• 60th ANNUAL JURIED APPALACHIAN ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR: Aug 1 - 2. 8x8 spaces for $199. Premium endcap spaces for $299. Michelle Rotellini, Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center, Beckley, WV. Information & Application: www.appalachianfestival.net
• WV WATERCOLOR SOCIETY AQUEOUS 2025 NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION:Runs Through: June 21. Beckley Art Center, 600 Johnstown Rd, Beckley, WV 25801. www.wvwatercolorsociety.org www.beckleyartcenter.com
• HUNTINGTON MUSEUM OF ARTS: Stenciled: Through August 3. Evergreen: Treasures From the Daywood Collection: Through Feb 8, 2026. The Richard C. von Hess Foundation Presents Werner Drewes: Through Aug 17. Huntington Museum of Arts, 2033 McCoy Rd, Huntington, WV 25705 www.hmoa.org
MEMBERS RECOGNITION:
Congratulations to Rita Montrosse whose painting, “Party Hardy”, won Best of Show at the WV Watercolor Society 2025 Aqueous National Juried Exhibition at the Beckley Art Center. Her painting, “Deseret Spring”, was accepted in the Impressions of Spring Exhibit at Tamarack, and “Broken Branch”, will be December in the WVWS 2026 Calendar, on sale this fall. Rita will be teaching an Abstract watercolor workshop for WVWS July 30 - Aug 3 at North Bend State Park. This workshop is an extension of previous Abstract workshops she has taught. If anyone is interested in the workshop, you can find more information at: www.wvwatercolorsociety.org
Steve Sisson had two paintings selected for the Inspired Series - West Virginia Historic Figures Exhibit at the WV Culture Center. He also had paintings in the “Impressions of Spring” exhibit at Tamarack. Congratulations, Steve!
Debbie Sisson had one painting chosen for each of the following: 2026 WVWS Calendar contest, 2026 Wolf Creek Calendar (for the 2nd year in a row), the Inspired Series - West Virginia Historic Figures Exhibit at the WV Culture Center, and the Best of WV show at Tamarack. She also had paintings in the recent “Impressions of Spring” Exhibit at Tamarack. Congratulations, Debbie!
Liz Haley’s art piece, “WV Legacy”, was accepted for the Inspired Series - West Virginia Historic Figures, at the WV Culture Center. Congratulations, Liz!
WEBSITE: Join the AAWV gallery and Featured Members directory. Submit your bio, your picture, plus jpg files of your art to Featured Member Artist Page & Gallery Submission Form. If you need assistance with the form, contact Linda Stonestreet.
NEWSLETTER: Send Awards, Exhibitions, and information to Editor, Stella Jarrett
MAIL DUES TO: AAWV, ℅ Howard Rogers, P. O. Box 1471, St Albans, WV 25177.
