June 2024 Exhibits

This month we are presenting Plastic Fossils: Recent Works by Eric Manwiller. Imagine discovering our present in the future—what would it look like? Manwiller has an idea. Also, we are hosting James Torres’ Eye of the Beholder, A License to See: Photographs by Bollin Milner,  Thread, Twine & Rope by Richard Harding, and the June All Media Show by local artists.

The opening reception is Friday, June 28th from 6 pm – 8 pm. The event is free and open to the public and parking is provided and free.

Plastic Fossils: Recent Works by Eric Manwiller

Imagine a world where earth and plastic lie buried playfully, side-by-side, for a future civilization to ponder. That’s what Eric Manwiller imagined in his exhibit at Art Works.  A Richmond-based artist, Manwiller combines painting and sculpture. And recently he has added mixed materials like casts of 1980s action figures, glitter, flip sequins, and various textiles to his work. The results evoke images of “plastic fossils” and explore issues of environmental importance.

The exhibit continues through August 17th.

Eye of the Beholder by James Torres

James Torres is a collector and creator of art. As an artist, he has an attachment to old, damaged, forgotten, and discarded items. He finds his “perfect treasures” by visiting thrift shops, yard sales, estate sales, and even the occasional junkyard. To many, these objects may seem useless; however, for Torres they are the tools he uses to tell a story. Art is all around us. In the process of assemblage, Torres curiosity comes through as he creates a new narrative for forgotten items.

 A License to See: Photographs by Bollin Millner

Bollin Millner quotes Joel Meyerowitz who speaks to photographers: “Once you have a camera in your hand, you have a license to see.”

Millner uses his camera to frame the world–roadways, doorways, lofts, quiet interiors and on the street. He is entranced by shapes, forms and lines made by human hands—rectangles, squares, circles, arches, as well as spirals, waves and patterns that occur in nature. Reflections and repetition are additional bonuses. In this exhibit Millner captures a sense of harmony and peace, where the discrete elements relate to one another in compelling ways. He usually does not feature people, but rather leaves space for the viewers themselves to populate the image.

Thread, Twine & Rope by Richard Harding

It all started with a newly financed industrial sewing machine. Richard Harding started working with the machine expecting quick results. The process was challenging and time-consuming. However, through experimentation and creativity he discovered a passion for creating sculptures using leftover materials. The shapes and forms of the sculptures are influenced by the cords being used, with details added through intricate stitching patterns. Each piece takes shape gradually. Richard balances planned elements with spontaneous changes during the creation process. Richard is inspired by nature and a desire to bring a sense of calm and interest to home décor. The sculptures are meant to spark curiosity and wonder in those who view them.

The exhibit will be in the Centre Gallery.

June 2024 All Media Show

This exhibit is a focal point of all Art Works’ openings. It is a juried show with cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. There is no theme for this exhibit, anything goes, any medium and the show is open to all artists and all mediums. This month Mark Eanes juried the show.  Mark Eanes is a painter, printmaker, photographer, curator, and educator who currently lives and works in Richmond, Virginia. Prior to living in Virginia, Mark lived in the Bay Area of California since 1970. He holds a master’s degree in fine arts from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Eanes is Professor Emeritus from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco, where he taught drawing and painting courses for over thirty-three years. His list of accomplishments is long and impressive: teaching at many art institutes, chair of the Visual Arts Department at CalArts, and conducting private lessons and workshops throughout California and Italy.

This exhibit will be in the Skylight Gallery.

1st Place – Lew Lott, Quite, Oil on Aluminum,  51″x33″, $1600

2nd Place -Tatianna ArtPleinAir,  The City of Stars, Oil on Canvas, 36″x36″, $1500

3rd Place -P.A. Knight, Virgil Denton, 93, Wins the attendance medal at the annual Lion’s Club Meeting, Oil on Canvas, 48″x36″, $750

Honorable Mention – Wendy Nelson,  Portrait of a Snowy Egret, Fine Art Photography, 22″x26″, $285