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January 2011 Newsletter
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In This Issue
Thank You
New Melchers Painting on Display
In the News
In Memoriam
Exhibition
Programs & Events
Wedding Sampler
Art Classes
New Preschool Program

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New Melchers Painting on Display


Studio on Torenduin
Studio on Torenduin by Gari Melchers

 

An undated oil sketch by Gari Melchers depicting his Dutch studio is now on view in the artist's Falmouth studio following conservation. Read on

In the News
 The Free Lance-Star
Dec. 23
In Memoriam
June Allen

June Allen

Belmont Docent

 

We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of June Allen, a beloved Belmont docent for 15 years.  June was living near her daughter on Cape Cod since her retirement in 2005.

 

Guests often remarked on June's resemblance to Corinne Melchers, and her gentle ways and elegant style matched those of Belmont's mistress (but her New Jersey accent sometimes betrayed her).

 

June even portrayed Corinne at a special 2004 "At Home with Mrs. Melchers" event (above photo).

 

Farewell and safe travels, June.

Gari Melchers self portrait
At Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, see the richly furnished country house and working studio of American Impressionist painter Gari Melchers (1860-1932) as they appeared in the 1920s. Explore the colorful formal gardens and wooded hiking trails of the artist's 27-acre retreat. Enjoy special exhibitions of the art of Melchers and his contemporaries.

Exhibition
"The New Reality:  The Frontier of Realism in the 21st Century"

Through Feb. 27

Wrapped PackageVisit the exhibition that everyone is talking about!  Three galleries full of paintings that explore Realism in fresh and innovative ways.

These modern-day artists from around the world use everything from colored pencils to egg tempera to create their hyper-realistic paintings.

A majority of the paintings use tromp l'oeil, a French term meaning "trick or fool the eye," to depict an object so exactly as to make it appear real.

Come see what using "only a brush and the naked eye" can accomplish. Read the brochure.

Programs & Events
megaphoneAdd Your Voice

Saturday, Jan. 15, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Help spread the word!  Belmont is hosting a free day for the public to react and respond to our special "New Reality" exhibition in an informal and fun way. 

post its
What do you think about a particular painting?  Write it down and let your voice be heard!  Respond to other people's posts to create a real-time, interactive art critic's essay.

Photography is welcome in all three "New Reality" galleries so you can use social media to Add Your Voice

Light refreshments will be served in the Pavilion.  Appropriate for all ages; reservations not necessary. Contact Education Coordinator Michelle Crow-Dolby at 540/654-1851 with questions.

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Wedding Sampler
Third Annual Wedding Sampler
Jan. 23, 1-4 p.m.

WeddingJoin us for a select gathering of local wedding vendors in the stunning Studio Pavilion overlooking the Rapphannock River. 
 
Door prizes will be given away throughout the afternoon.

Come and tour the grounds, visit the artist's studio, and meet with professionals ready to help you plan that special day.
 
The Wedding Sampler will have some of the finest wedding specialists in our area -caterers, photographers, cake and flower designers, and more.  Great food, great ideas, great gathering!


General admission:  $10; University of Mary Washington students: $5.

To pre-register, contact Special Events Coordinator Betsy Labar at 540/654-1848.
Art Classes 
Martin Luther King Day Art Workshop
Drawing for the Rest of Us:  An Introduction to Drawing
Monday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sixth grade through adult
gari sketch
pencil sketch by Gari Melchers


This workshop is an introduction to basic drawing tools, warming-up exercises, and techniques that can be used to help build a foundation to experience the joy of drawing.

Cost:  $20 members; $25 non-members.  To register, contact Education Coordinator Michelle Crow-Dolby at 540/654-1851.









 


President's Day Art Workshop
Expressing Light
Monday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Ninth grade through adult
Bruce Day
Fredericksburg artist Bruce Day working on a still-life painting.


This workshop is an exploration of light and its effect on a piece of artwork.  Looking at Impressionist and Post-Impressionist work, we spend the day seeing color afresh. 
Participants will create two still-life paintings, one with the objects as they appear naturally and one with the same objects completely white.  Different lighting is explored and discussed.

Cost:  $20 members; $25 non-members.  To register, contact Education Coordinator Michelle Crow-Dolby at 540/654-1851.

Both workshops have been organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine arts and are supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment.
New Preschool Program
palettePreschool Palette


Preschool Palette is a new early childhood program especially for children ages 3-5.  The workshop introduces art and art museums to young children through developmentally appropriate activities, including a visit to Gari Melchers' studio and art gallery and a chance to explore ideas through a variety of materials and techniques. Read on
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