The Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center’s latest offerings are on display, including its fourth members co-op show of the year and the return of the “Camera to Brush and Beyond” exhibition. Both attractions show through Oct. 12.
The “Camera to Brush” concept tasked painters with selecting another artist’s photograph to use as inspiration for a painting.
“This is one that everybody loves,” said Janis Wood, WCAC president.
Wood said the challenge gives artists the chance to use others’ photographs, which are normally off limits.
“This gives a little more camaraderie,” she said. “I think it’s just fun.”
The paintings and their photographic inspirations hang side-by-side in WCAC’s fireside gallery. The co-op show combines new and returning artists in the site’s main and middle galleries.
“Some of the artists have gone into other media,” said Wood, using painter Karen Bonday Williamson’s turn to using rocks as her canvas as an example.
Other works include Rice Trolan’s Gulf War-inspired paintings, Annette Thompson’s water-centric wax paintings and jewelry crafted by Vivian Driskill.
New artists include Glenn Shean, a retired College of William and Mary psychology professor. Mixed-media artist Mary Lassiter made her debut at the previous co-op show in July, and her sophomore showcase features paintings on wood panels rather than traditional canvases.
“I like the way she paints on all sorts of stuff,” Wood said. “Her canvases are as interesting as her paintings.”
WCAC also welcomed realist figurative painter and sculptor Robert Liberace for a workshop Tuesday. Liberace has completed commissioned works of figures including President George H.W. Bush and Mother Teresa.
During the workshop, Liberace painted live model and WCAC board member Bill Smith, adorned with a colorful, authentic uniform from the Franco-Prussian War, while teaching techniques to 28 people. In the afternoon, 17 stuck around to paint Smith as Liberace went easel-to-easel offering feedback.
“He was extremely helpful and it is rare to get that level of feedback,” said Jeanne Kouhestani, who attended the workshop. “It was absolutely phenomenal to be working under such a master of portraiture.”
Want to go?
The member’s co-op and “Camera to Brush and Beyond” shows run through Oct. 12 at the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center, 110 Westover Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free and open to the public.
