Upcoming Classes and events
View Arts on Main’s Class Policies: https://www.gloucesterartsonmain.org/class-policies
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
February First Friday: "The Art of Food"
February First Friday
"The Art of Food" 🍲
featuring
Jason Abbott, Judy Bumgardner, Marcie Evans, Mike Haubenstock, Lawrence Hollingsworth, Valerie Johnson, Joann Sybil Lawson, Doris Roland, Heather Salvador, Karen Thuermer
Opening Reception:
Friday, February 6
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
The Art of Food is an exhibition that celebrates the creative dialogue between the visual and the culinary. This exhibition features a selection of works that elevate everyday meals, ingredients, and culinary traditions into works of art. Artists reinterpret the familiar through form, color, and texture—turning plates into palettes and kitchens into studios. Each piece reflects how food connects us to memory, culture, celebration, and creativity. The exhibition invites guests to slow down and savor the artistry found in the ordinary.
The show’s food theme was inspired by our February fundraiser, Taste of the Arts, taking place on February 21, 5-8:30pm. Together, the show and the fundraiser invite guests to enjoy food-inspired art while savoring delicious dishes — creating a shared experience for both the eyes at the appetite!
The opening of this show will take place at Arts on Main on Friday, February 6th from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. This event is free and open to the public. Live music will be performed by Ami Baker. Light bites will be served, and beer + wine will be available for purchase. The show will be on display at Arts on Main until Saturday, February 28th. The gallery is open Wednesday - Saturday from 12-5pm.
Thank you to our February Exhibit Sponsor, Linda M. Wahlman, CW5 (Ret.)
Live music will be performed by Ami Baker during the opening reception!
Thank you to our First Friday Music Sponsor, Lourdes and Don Parker!
“Singer. Songwriter. Musician. Lover & Follower of Jesus. Writing songs to make others feel less alone”
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
JASON ABBOTT
“Art has always played a major role in my life. It wasn’t until recently that I decided to share my art. I am a self-taught artist. I have spent my life experimenting, learning, and building my technique. My desire is to create art that evokes an emotion in the observer.”
Judy Bumgardner
“I began my career creating polychrome sculpture from found materials. During a sabbatical from teaching while living in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico I began painting in watercolor exploring transparency and the paradox of imagery of the face and the mask. The image and symbolism of the metamorphosis of the butterfly came into play. Further travels in Belgium and Spain led to an interest in the tradition of still life. The foods and the painted tiles of Mexico and Spain were an inspiration. The juxtaposition and interplay of color and form are an integral part of still life painting. Throughout history food has conveyed symbolic import in religious ceremonies and secular traditions art and poetry. I hope that my work celebrates the pleasures of the table with the communion and joy of the human spirit.”
Marcie Evans
Based in Poquoson, Virginia, Marcie Evans is a sculptor and potter whose work balances practicality with a playful, irreverent spirit. A native of the Hampton Roads area, her artistic journey is rooted in a diverse background of visual communication and organic design.
Working primarily in stoneware and porcelain, Marcie Evans creates pieces that are inherently utilitarian but distinguished by a sense of whimsy and humor. This distinctive "functional fun" is born of years working as an artist and sculptor, an Associate's degree in Graphic Design, and a prolific career as a floral designer and flower shop manager. Years of arranging botanicals have instilled a deep understanding of form, balance, and the relationship between a vessel and its contents.
Today, Marcie blends these disciplines into ceramic works that invite touch and evoke smiles, ensuring that even the most everyday object carries a spark of personality.
Mike Haubenstock
Mike Haubenstock, based in Glen Allen, Virginia, is known for his luminous oil paintings of landscapes and still lifes. Inspired by architecture, natural scenery, and vibrant everyday moments, Mike began his artistic journey nearly two decades ago.
His work stands at the intersection of timeless tradition and contemporary resonance. Rooted in the legacy of representational art, Mike’s still lifes and landscapes celebrate the quiet poetry of daily life—wildflowers catching morning light, sunsets glowing through the forest, or fruits and vegetables painted with striking realism.
In a world often driven by abstraction or conceptual trends, Mike’s paintings offer a refreshingcounterbalance. With vibrant color, expressive brushwork, and layered textures, he invites viewers to slow down, savor detail, and reconnect with beauty as a form of emotional refuge. His art speaks to a modern desire for works that soothe, ground, and bring a sense of calm and joy into living spaces.
By merging classical subjects with a vivid palette and palpable energy, Mike creates paintings that feel both comfortably familiar and strikingly alive—bridging past and present, tradition and the evolving needs of today’s collectors.
LAWRENCE HOLLINGSWORTH
Lawrence Hollingsworth, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, derived his inspiration to paint from Country and Coastal landscapes and museum visits during his travels as an antiques importer in Europe and the U.K. He studied the styles and painting techniques of a wide range of past and present painters such as Turner, Corot, Courbet and Schmid, et.al. His primary medium is oil on canvas or linen and has patrons both in the Continental U.S. and Europe. He received his Doctorate Degree from the College of William and Mary in Virginia and he currently resides in Gloucester, Virginia.
Valerie Johnson
Settled in Smithfield, Virginia, Val works primarily in felted fiber art, though don’t hold her to it. “I love creating in a variety of different mediums, from paper mache sculptures, costuming, automata, and ceramics. I use whatever medium gets me to my idea. I like the challenge of working in different mediums and incorporating new ideas and concepts into my art. I may begin a felted project that starts as a “painting”, evolves into a sculpture, and in the end is realized as a piece of costuming. I feel that these kinds of zigs and zags require a pretty good sense of humor, which leads to the whimsy often seen in my work
Joann Sybil Lawson
“I like painting flowers, fruits, and vegetables and making a painting that someone might enjoy. I try to do work that I can respect myself for, and, hopefully, be respected for. Through guidance and excellent instruction, I have come to realize that a good painting is not necessarily the result of great talent or technique, but of patience and perseverance.” Joann has exhibited several times in Hampton, VA, at the Charles H. Taylor Art Center, the International Miniature Art Show, Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, NC, and participated in the Daffodil Festival Poster Competition in Gloucester.
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. I also met my goal for 2025, I sold more than 10 pieces of art.”
HEATHER SALVADOR
“I make abstract, expressive paintings driven by bold color, movement, and texture. Painting grounds me and puts me in a state of flow, where each piece becomes an experiment in emotion and curiosity. My work isn’t about realism — it’s about energy and the freedom to be different.”
Karen Thuermer
“An international journalist for 45+ years, my art mirrors my search for interesting people and places both locally and globally.
I am an accomplished plein air landscape painter who is equally skilled at still life and figurative compositions. My work is often described as impressionist.
My primary medium is oil. I also work in watercolor, graphite, pastel, and engraving. I also am an award-winning photographer.
Many of my works are accepted into juried shows, including those at the Art League Gallery in Alexandria, VA; Bay School Community Arts Center, Mathews, VA; Torpedo Factory Artists Association’s Art in City Hall in Alexandria, VA; the National Arts Program at the National Press Club in Washington, DC; Oxon Hill Manor in Oxon Hill, MD; Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax City, VA; Upper Marion Cultural Center in King of Prussia, PA; Del Ray Artisans Gallery in Del Ray, VA; Great Falls Art Center in Great Falls, VA; Strathmore Art Center in Bethesda, MD; Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center (WCAC) in Williamsburg, VA, Links Bridge Vineyards in Thurmont, VA, and other venues in Ohio and the Mid Atlantic.”
Leatherworking 101: Two Pocket Snap Wallet
Leatherworking 101:
Two Pocket Snap Wallet
Instructor: Jess Goehner
Saturday, February 7
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Discover the art of leathercraft in this beginner-friendly workshop. Students will be introduced to the basics of working with leather—learning about different types of hides, essential tools, and foundational techniques such as cutting, punching, and hand-stitching. Guided step by step, you’ll create a two pocket wallet from start to finish, customizing details like leather color and thread for a piece that’s truly your own.
All supplies will be provided by the instructor.
For ages 16+
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Directive is the studio practice of artist and designer Jess Goehner, a one-woman operation working in a garage on the Virginia coast. Her media exploration ranges from fine pen and ink drawings, found sculpture, photography, clothing design, fibers, painting, and leatherwork. Since 2013, her work under the name Directive has been focused on functional pieces which has served as an extension of a broader artistic inquiry—an exploration of material, form, and repetition as a language of making.
Artist Talk with Beth Anne Booth
Artist Talk with Beth Anne Booth
Saturday, February 7
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join us at Arts on Main on Saturday, February 7 from 3-4pm for an Artist Talk with Beth Anne Booth! Beth Anne was one of the Exhibiting Artists featured in Arts on Main’s January 2026 Group Show: “New Year, New Art”.
Beth Anne Booth’s work is grounded in healing, spiritual connection, and personal transformation. Using abstract expressionist techniques, she taps into the subconscious and explores the inner landscape through intuitive, meditative mark-making. Her return to painting followed two profound life events: her journey into sobriety and a double-lung transplant. These experiences became catalysts for healing and inspired two major bodies of work.
The Breathe Series emerged organically as a way to process the physical and emotional depth of undergoing a transplant, honoring the sacredness of breath and life itself. Following that, the Awakening Series reflects the spiritual principles that have guided her recovery—surrender, aligned action, humility, and inner growth—offering a visual narrative of her ongoing journey.
At the heart of Booth’s practice is a desire for connection: with self, with others, with nature, and with the Divine. Her paintings are not only personal expressions but also acts of service—intended to resonate, uplift, and inspire. For Booth, painting is a purpose and a devotion, a commitment to creativity, presence, and transformation.
Find Beth Anne’s work here: https://healingwholerva.com
This talk is FREE and open to the public!
Watercolor Workshop: Heron Taking Flight
Watercolor Workshop:
Heron Taking Flight
Instructor: Jan Finn Duffy
Wednesday, February 11
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Relax and learn how to paint a heron taking flight. Mix different shades to make the scene look dimensional.
Step by step guidance will help you enjoy the beauty of the watercolor medium. All skill levels can do this! It’s sure to be an evening of fun with paint! Beginner-friendly!
All supplies will be provided by the instructor. Bring your friends and come have fun painting with watercolors!
FOR AGES 16+
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Jan Finn-Duffy is a self-taught watercolorist with a passion for painting and sharing watercolor skills with aspiring artists. She has a working studio at 40 Church Street in Mathews, VA, where her art is displayed and lessons are taught. Her art has been published in multiple international publications. Please visit her website www.JanFinnDuffy.com for more information.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Basic Drop Spindle Workshop
Basic Drop Spindle Workshop
Saturday, February 14 & Saturday, February 28
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
In this class, the students will learn the basics of spinning wool on a spindle. This is a two part class. In the first class we will learn the basics of drafting and spinning a single ply yarn on a spindle. One week later the students will come together and learn how to ply two singles into a final 2 ply yarn using their spindles. They will also learn how to finish their yarn for use in other projects.
All supplies will be provided by the instructor.
FOR AGES 13+
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Sara McCourt An avid knitter, Sara found that the needles in her hands were the gateway tool to a deeper passion: fiber. Wondering about the sourcing and processing of her mail-order wools led her to complete her Master’s Spinning Certification program at the Olds College in Alberta, Canada. She then began to use her handspun yarns in weaving. This of course led to the use of natural and synthetic dyes in her work. Now,Sara spins and dyes her own yarn, fibers, and fabrics for use in her various fiber arts.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Taste II: A Casual Creative Culinary Arts Experience
February Fundraiser
🍲 Taste II 🍝
A Casual Creative Culinary Arts Experience
Join us for Taste II: A Casual Creative Culinary Arts Experience
On Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 5 - 8:30pm, Arts on Main will be transformed into a gallery for all the senses during this celebration of the culinary arts. SEE vibrant works from Virginia-based artists, HEAR talented live musicians, TASTE and SMELL food from local culinary artists, and FEEL the joy of supporting Gloucester’s community arts nonprofit!
Sponsorships are available now! Individual tickets go on sale on December 6th!
Reverse Drawing in Charcoal
Reverse Drawing in Charcoal
Instructor: Jody Ball
Thursday, February 26
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Charcoal is such a versatile medium and can be manipulated in amazing ways! In this class, we are going to use a more expressive and fun way to study the concept of reverse drawing by removing the charcoal in areas that would be highlighted! Vine charcoal is the perfect medium for these projects as it is very forgiving and can provide dreamy-like images. In the process, we will practice drawing skills and discuss the concept of positive and negative space in drawing. To warm you up, we will start with an expressive and free floral rendering, then move on to the chicken drawing. You will be given help with all drawings and will find this fun and challenging at the same time! All supplies are included for your projects. Come and join us!
For adults and teens ages 12+
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
“Drawing and painting have been a part of my life as long as I can remember. As a child, my parents enrolled me in art lessons with a prominent hometown artist after my mother declared that all I did was draw and color! I now live in Deltaville, VA, but passionately taught art to students of all ages for many years in a homeschool co-op environment and my studio when I lived in Ohio. My first love is the pastel medium, and my representational paintings usually tend towards a softened, sometimes impressionistic appearance. Nature is my inspiration, and I am possessed by the colors, forms, and textures that are possible in creating two-dimensional art. My paintings grace the walls of many homes across the country, and I currently show my paintings at Gloucester Arts on Main, the RAL Art Center in Kilmarnock, and the Bay School Community Arts Center in Mathews.”
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Winter Paint Night
Winter paint Night ❄️
Instructor: Juli Schuszler
Friday, February 27
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This workshop will be completed using acrylic paint on an 11" x 14" stretched canvas. All materials necessary to paint this image will be provided by the instructor. All levels of experience are welcome, from beginner to experienced. You will receive a reference picture and printed step-by-step directions. Special instruction will be available to those needing help mixing colors and applying paint to create the details of this scene. Bring a friend, neighbor, relative, or spouse for this fun and engaging class!
OPEN TO ALL AGES!
Children under 12 must be accompanied
by a parent/guardian
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Juli Schuszler is a Gloucester artist known for her vibrant and dramatic oil masterpieces showcasing the beauty of the natural world. A passion for color is evident in Juli's paintings, inspired by an ongoing love of nature and gardening. Much of Juli’s inspiration comes from her garden. Juli works from real life observations and her own reference photos, focusing on the play of light and shadow, creating drama and visual interest in her art. Often working on large canvases, Juli paints carefully and slowly, creating numerous layers of paint, building as she goes. Juli says, “I like to search for striking and dramatic light in the images that I collect for my references.... I want to transport the viewer to a beautiful world of color and light with my paintings, to take them into a garden of delight!” Anyone can see that the common thread through all her artwork is a love of color and light. Retired from careers in commercial art and then in teaching Art and English in public school, college, and university, Juli now pursues her own art in her home studio. Her artworks are featured in the Bay School for the Arts, The Charles H. Taylor Art Center, and the Crossroads Art Center as well as the RAL Art Center Gallery.
Garden Friends - Color Your Canvas Kids Class
Garden Friends🐢
Color Your Canvas Kids Class
Instructor: Christina Micket
Saturday, February 28
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Enjoy a fun morning painting some sweet garden friends at Arts On Main! Each artist will be provided a pre-sketched canvas and acrylic paints. They will be instructed by Christina and encouraged to get creative! If your child is younger and brand new to painting, parents are welcome to stay and help. Please also consider wearing play clothes, as we try to keep tidy, but accidents with paint can happen.
For children ages 4-12 (children under 6 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian)
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
“I believe art is for everyone. It can bring people together, and has the ability to put the artist in touch with themselves. When we learn to let go of perfection, painting can be both healing and very meditative. I began drawing and creating from a young age, and enjoy sharing the joy of creating with others. I’m excited to resume art instruction, focusing on making creative expression accessible and enjoyable for young artists. Building on my experience leading "Color Your Canvas Kidz" at Arts On Main from 2014-2021, and many various community workshops for adults, I'm prepared to help inspire participants of my classes. My approach prioritizes fun, exploration and self expression. Each class has a concept painting, and I empower students to create from their heart. I look forward to sharing a fun, creative, relaxed space with the young artists in our community!”
Dynamic Figure Drawing Workshop
Dynamic Figure Drawing Workshop
Instructor: Jess Goehner
Saturday, February 28
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Join us for a dynamic figure drawing class that explores expression, perspective, and the power of gesture. Working from a live model, timed exercises will push you to convey the human form quickly and creatively and to expand the creative language you bring to all forms of art. This class will include personalized feedback from the instructor, suggestions and resource lists, and collaborative critique skills with your peers. All levels welcome.
Supplies will be provided, but bring your favorite drawing materials to work with if you have them (large newsprint drawing paper or large sketch pad, preferred drawing tools). For ages 14+
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Directive is the studio practice of artist and designer Jess Goehner, a one-woman operation working in a garage on the Virginia coast. Her media exploration ranges from fine pen and ink drawings, found sculpture, photography, clothing design, fibers, painting, and leatherwork. Since 2013, her work under the name Directive has been focused on functional pieces which has served as an extension of a broader artistic inquiry—an exploration of material, form, and repetition as a language of making.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Young Artist Contest!
Young Artist Contest!
Partnering with the Gloucester Daffodil Festival
Reception date:
Saturday, March 7, 2-4PM
Unleash your imagination and let your creativity blossom! The Young Artist Contest invites budding artist from across the community to create original artwork inspired by the spirit of Spring and the 2026 Gloucester Daffodil Theme, Anchored in Tradition. Submit one piece of artwork for a chance to have your artwork featured in an art gallery!
*Submission deadline is February 23 at 5pm*
Ages 11-14
Must be Gloucester County Resident
Any medium!
Image size, no larger than 24” x 18”/ no smaller than 11” x 8.”
Selected art will be notified: February 28
Upon being notified of acceptance, please bring your art to Art’s on Main on March 6, 12-7PM. 6580 Main Street, Gloucester Virginia 23061
Submit your work by clicking the button below!
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Paper Daffodil Workshop
Paper Daffodil Workshop 🌼
Instructor: Ronda Bowden
Saturday, March 14
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Tired of the cold weather? Come get warm at Arts on Main and make delicate and realistic paper daffodils to get in the mood for Spring! Learn the process through step-by-step instruction with all supplies included.
For adults and teens ages 14+
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Ronda Bowden is a paper flower artist who focuses on realism and whimsical arrangements.
STamp Making Workshop
Stamp making workshop
Basics of Linocut Relief Printmaking
Instructor: Lauren Sowder
Saturday, March 14th and Sunday, March 15th
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Ready, set, carve! In this two-day workshop, you will learn techniques of linocut relief printmaking. You'll carve and print a small rubber block and you'll leave with a handmade stamp of your own creation. You can use your imagination to create your own design or choose from a selection provided by the instructor. This workshop is beginner friendly: no experience is necessary and all supplies will provided. Be prepared to handle sharp tools.
For ages 16+
Take a look at some of Lauren’s phenomenal work!
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Lauren Sowder is a multi-media artist based in Newport News, Virginia, with a BA in English and Studio Art from Christopher Newport University. She works primarily in printmaking and watercolor, using her art to celebrate the connection between humanity and the natural world.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Sunny Daffodil - Color Your Canvas Kids Class
Sunny Daffodil ☀️
Color Your Canvas Kids Class
Instructor: Christina Micket
Saturday, March 21
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Enjoy a fun morning painting a Sunny Daffodil at Arts on Main! In this class, the young artist will be provided a pre-sketched canvas and acrylic paints. They will be instructed by Christina and encouraged to get creative! Consider wearing play clothes, as we try to stay tidy, but accidents can happen.
For children ages 4-12 (children under 6 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian)
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
“I believe art is for everyone. It can bring people together, and has the ability to put the artist in touch with themselves. When we learn to let go of perfection, painting can be both healing and very meditative. I began drawing and creating from a young age, and enjoy sharing the joy of creating with others. I’m excited to resume art instruction, focusing on making creative expression accessible and enjoyable for young artists. Building on my experience leading "Color Your Canvas Kidz" at Arts On Main from 2014-2021, and many various community workshops for adults, I'm prepared to help inspire participants of my classes. My approach prioritizes fun, exploration and self expression. Each class has a concept painting, and I empower students to create from their heart. I look forward to sharing a fun, creative, relaxed space with the young artists in our community!”
Mixed Media Workshop
Mixed Media Workshop
Acrylic lifts, ink transfers, scraffito, rice paper, printing, embossed surfaces, attaching real objects, silkscreen images, faux finishes, thread, sands, stencils
Instructor: Robert Placky
Saturday, March 21
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Learn foundational mixed media techniques to explore surface, depth, and personal meaning in your art. Join artist and educator Robert Placky for a dynamic, hands-on exploration of mixed media techniques that build texture, depth, and narrative. Participants will experiment with acrylic lifts, ink transfers, rice paper, and found materials to create richly layered surfaces. Through guided demonstrations and individual exploration, this workshop emphasizes process, material discovery, and the creative dialogue between chance and intention.
All students are required to bring their own supplies. Click the button below to view the supply list.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Robert is an artist/adventurer that loves the outdoors and thrives under cerulean skies. He is an acrylic painter that uses mixed media on canvas and in print to capture the essence of place. Using the process of collage, Robert combines real and painted objects to explore the intangible qualities of being in the outdoors. He uses natural objects such as sand from “Uluru” in Australia or Forester grass from the Appalachian Trail to bring the natural setting to the canvas. This concept developed around the aboriginal word, “Kuruwarri," which is interpreting meaning from the land. He is in love with anything Australian, having spent all of 1994 on an International Teaching Exchange in Victoria, Australia Robert is a recently retired secondary art teacher from the State College Area School District. He taught for 40 years, focusing on advanced classes and portfolio development. Many of his students obtain degrees in the arts at major universities and art schools. He has stayed activity in the art community with his involvement with the Tappahannock Art Guild being a member of the Education Committee, Curation Committee and a Guild Artist.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Oil Painting Basics
Oil Painting Basics
Instructor: Majorie Perrin
Saturday, April 11
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
This class provides insight into oil painting for beginners starting out in oils as well as experienced painters who are developing techniques. During a demonstration of developing composition, participants discover the results of painting wet-in-wet and creating form with color. By understanding how the paints work, students will be able to translate what they see into finished oil paintings. Emphasis will be on employing a full range of techniques to create an expressive painting. Students can choose to work from their own photos or from still life.
All supplies will be provided by the instructor.
For adults and teens ages 14+
The class will break for lunch around 1pm. Plan to bring a lunch with you, or try one of the local restaurants on Main Street. We have 5 restaurants all within walking distance of the gallery!
This program has been organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and is funded, in part, by the Paul Mellon Endowment and the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Marjorie Perrin paints the world around her using the richness of oil paint to convey mood and sense of place. Her style is influenced by Impressionism and Classical Realism. She taught Studio Art for 30 years at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Studio School and continues to teach art workshops for the VMFA Statewide Program.
Marjorie graduated with honors from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; she also studied at Art Students League of New York and Virginia Commonwealth University. She has received several awards, most recent are Second Place Artists’ Choice Award for Tidelands Plein Air event in Tappahannock, Virginia in 2024, First Place at Gloucester Arts Festival Community Artist Plein Air Competition in 2019 and an Honorable Mention in the same event in 2024 in Gloucester, VA and Third Place in Plein Air Westhampton 2019 in Richmond, VA. She has also received two fellowships to the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.
Her work is included in numerous private and corporate collections in Richmond, Virginia, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, E.R. Carpenter Corp., Medical College of Virginia, Henrico Doctor’s Hospital, and Mutual Assurance.
She is an active member in the Portrait Society of America, Oil Painters of America, the Virginia Plein Air Painters Association, the Maryland Society of Portrait Painters, and the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association.
Frida, Pastels, & Portraits
Frida, Pastels, & Portraits
vmfa special workshop!
Instructor: Dawn Flores
Saturday, May 2
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Study the art of portraiture through the work and photographs of Frida Kahlo. Students will work in pastels as they hone their understanding of drawing portraits by working from photographs of the Mexican artist and/or her work. A slide presentation on the VMFA’s 2025 exhibition Frida: Beyond the Myth will be presented as part of the workshop.
For adults and teens ages 14+
All supplies will be provided by the instructor/VMFA. Just come have fun!
This program has been organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and is funded, in part, by the Paul Mellon Endowment and the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.
*For Pay What You Can options, please contact Arts on Main at (804) 824-9464
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Dawn Flores is a professional artist and instructor who teaches art courses nationally. She double majored in art and theater at the Edgewood College, the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Loyola University in New Orleans, and earned a Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration from the New York Botanical Garden.
Secrets of Classical Drawing: The Still Life
Secrets of Classical Drawing:
The Still Life
Instructor: Salis Dembling
Saturday, May 30
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Learn skills taught in ateliers and academies in centuries past and put them to use to create your own fresh artwork. You’ll learn tricks of the trade—classical drawing techniques to arrive at correct proportions and to create the illusion of form in two dimensions. These skills can be utilized when drawing traditional subjects like figures and landscapes, or they can be incorporated into your own contemporary practices. Still life drawing is an excellent way to learn important Realist techniques before attempting realistic portrait or figure drawing or painting, and it is a beautiful artform in and of itself! Suitable for beginners and artists at all levels.
For ages 11+
All supplies will be provided by the instructor.
This program has been organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and is funded, in part, by the Paul Mellon Endowment and the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Salis Dembling is a portrait and comics artist who was raised in New York City and Massachusetts and spent her formative years in L.A. and South America. She is mixed/Black and the daughter of Black historian Sterling Stuckey and the granddaughter of poet Elma Stuckey. She studied drawing and sculpture at Columbia University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree. She also studied painting and illustration at The School of Visual Arts and in the studio of portrait painter John Murray. She completed the professional four-year atelier painting program and teacher training program at Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia. She has exhibited art in Peru, Colombia, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Richmond. Salis’ approach to teaching is based on a proven method - largely drawn from her studies at a traditional atelier, specifically with her teacher Jon deMartin, a master draughtsman, painter, and educator. She has co-taught portrait workshops at Studio Incamminati and currently teaches traditional figure drawing, portrait drawing, cast drawing, still life, and master copy drawing at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. In addition, she is a musician, composer, and the founder of the band Cast Shadows.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Mosaic Night Light Workshop
Stained Glass Mosaic
Night Light Workshop
Instructor: Sue Hill with Shill Creations Studio
Thursday, January 29
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Add a pop of glowing color to your space by creating a beautiful custom night light with stained glass. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the basics of glass cutting, assembling, and finishing under the guidance of an experienced teaching artist. Choose to design either a tabletop or wall plug-in light to best fit your space. No experience needed—all supplies are included. Choose to design either a tabletop or wall plug-in light to best fit your vision. This eco-conscious studio class uses antique, vintage, and recovered glass, creating a minimal-waste environment. Together, we’ll explore the beauty of textures, light, and color while reflecting on the value of repurposing materials in art making.
For ages 16+
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Sue spent her first 25 years Technical Writer and Proposal Writer utilizing her graphic design background in advertising and documentation for shipboard equipment and IT. She retired from that career to be a full time Stained Glass Artist. As an art lover, Sue Hill has always had an interest in art and vibrant colors. She has worked with a lot of processes and materials, but her love always takes her to the beauty of stained glass. She loves creating beautiful designs that can catch the sunlight or move with the wind while the colors magically project across a room or transfer to the ground. When she’s not busy creating in her studio, you can find her teaching and sharing stained glass art at various locations - including local Museums, Art Centers, Virginia Beach ViBe District, Botanical Gardens, and other local Studio Spaces. She teaches the importance of being eco-friendly and repurposing – turning everyday life into art. Her various workshops teach the basics of stained glass art, mosaics, upcycled ceramic jewelry, and more. Sue has been featured in Canvas Rebel Magazine, Bold Journey Magazine, and Discover Virginia Beach Podcast with Joseph Trahan. Additionally, she donates pieces and hold fundraiser classes for local non-profit organizations to help generate donations to help people, pets, wildlife, and the environment. Sue believes that everything has a story and all broken pieces can turn into beautiful new stories.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Carving and Crafting a Walking Stick
Carving and Crafting a Walking Stick
Instructor: Christopher Wagner
Saturday, January 17th & Sunday, January 18th
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Join us for a hands-on woodworking experience where creativity meets craftsmanship! Under the instruction of an experienced woodworker, students will learn how to carve a walking stick with traditional carving tools. Incorporating figurative and decorative elements into a practical functional walking stick. By the end of the workshop, every student will walk away (literally!) with a handcrafted walking stick that’s both durable and artistic. All materials and tools are provided, no experience is necessary.
For students 8+ (any students under 14 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian)
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Christopher B. Wagner is a sculptor originally from Kentucky but has lived and worked all over the country. In the summer of 2022 he relocated from the West Coast to Williamsburg, VA to work at William & Mary University. He received a B.A. in art history and sculpture from Georgetown College after which he studied Sculpture at Edinboro University in which he graduated in 2010 with an M.F.A. He has been making and exhibiting his art ever since his work can currently be seen at Linda Matney Gallery in Williamsburg, VA, Guardino Gallery in Portland, OR, Imogen Gallery in Astoria, OR, and the Compound Gallery in Oakland, CA. Along with his own active studio he has worked as a Shop Manager for Eichinger Sculpture studio in Portland, OR; along with serving as an instructor and technician at numerous institutions including Gonzaga University, Mission College, De Anza University and most recently William & Mary University. His awards have included a Jurors Choice at Cherry Creek Art Festival, exhibitor at the Smithsonian Craft Show, the Glean Artist Grant, and the Emerging Artist Award from Portland Open Studios. His work focuses on recycled or reconstituted wood as the medium. Utilizing traditional carving skills in the creation of contemporary sculpture. The reclaimed lumber he predominantly sculpts in provides a sense of history that influences what he creates.
Winter Pastel Workshop *CLASS FULL!
Winter Pastel Workshop 🌨️
*CLASS FULL!
Instructor: Jody Ball
Friday, January 16
1:00PM - 3:30PM
Have fun painting a winter snow scene in this one-day pastel workshop! We are going to create this soft, quiet, snowy day by using the textured side of pink pastel paper to really make it pop! Jody will guide you with instruction, tips, and techniques as you have fun watching your painting come to life on the colorful, textured pastel paper provided in the class. This workshop is suitable for both beginners and advanced individuals, and everything you need is provided in the class. Come and join us this holiday season and have a wonderful time as we play and experiment with pastels!
All supplies will be provided by the instructor.
For adults and teens ages 12+
CLASS FULL!
To be placed on the waitlist, please call the gallery at (804) 824-9464
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
“Drawing and painting have been a part of my life as long as I can remember. As a child, my parents enrolled me in art lessons with a prominent hometown artist after my mother declared that all I did was draw and color! I now live in Deltaville, VA, but passionately taught art to students of all ages for many years in a homeschool co-op environment and my studio when I lived in Ohio. My first love is the pastel medium, and my representational paintings usually tend towards a softened, sometimes impressionistic appearance. Nature is my inspiration, and I am possessed by the colors, forms, and textures that are possible in creating two-dimensional art. My paintings grace the walls of many homes across the country, and I currently show my paintings at Gloucester Arts on Main, the RAL Art Center in Kilmarnock, and the Bay School Community Arts Center in Mathews.”
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Eight Week Watercolor Class Series *class full!
Winter Watercolor class series
(eight weeks) *class full!
Painting the Still Life and the Urban Landscape
Instructor: Doug Mock
Monday Evenings
January 12th - March 2nd
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Join artist/instructor Doug Mock as he leads this 8 week session focused on painting the still life and urban scenes. Artists will choose an image of their own or they can choose from the options offered by the instructor. Dive deep into choosing colors, mixing for success, glazing color that glows and painting in a loose yet controlled manner. These classes are fun, engaging, and full of information that you will use on a regular and frequent basis.
If you are interested in taking 6 weeks of this course rather than 8 weeks, please email programs@gloucesterarts.org for a discounted rate.
The deadline to sign up is Friday, January 9th @ 5pm.
AGES 16+
Open to all levels
ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING THEIR OWN SUPPLIES!
Click the button below to view the supply list.
*class full!
If you would like to be put on the waitlist, please call the gallery at (804) 824-9464
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Doug Mock is an award-winning watercolor artist and teacher living in White Stone, Virginia. Born in 1966 in Central Pennsylvania he was raised in a small dairy farming community where strong work ethic, love of family and appreciation of nature were of major importance. Doug is mostly self-taught, with significant influence by figurative watercolorist Mary Whyte. Mock creates art inspired by people and nature. His work is characterized by unique design, bold color and creative subject matter. Capturing life’s simple moments, Doug’s art connects with collectors on an emotional level. Doug has been juried into and regularly appears in shows and exhibitions throughout the United States. His work is appreciated and can be found in private collections throughout the country. He is a member of prominent watercolor organizations and is a signature member of the Virginia Watercolor Society and the Southern Watercolor Society.
rigid heddle loom weaving workshop *CLASS FULL!
rigid heddle loom
weaving workshop *CLASS FULL!
Instructor: Kate Swanson
Saturday, January 10
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Ever wondered about weaving but didn't have access to a loom or know where to start? Ever thought "I'm more a math and science person than an artist"? Ever found it hard to sit still during an art class? If so, then this is the class for you! Weaving is an art form that dates back thousands of years and relies on simple math and mechanics to design, plan, and create beautiful and functional art. Students in this class will use Arts on Main's rigid heddle looms to learn beginning weaving techniques and create a scarf or table runner. Kate has done all the math and will walk students through the steps of warping (setting up), weaving, and finishing the project. She'll also show how to read patterns and design future projects. By the end of the class, students will know the basic vocabulary and steps involved in weaving on a rigid heddle loom. Come learn how to make your own cloth!
For ages 16+
All supplies will be provided by the instructor.
*CLASS FULL!
If you have your own rigid heddle loom and you would like to join this class,
please call the gallery at (804) 824-9464
If you don’t have your own loom, but you would like to be added to the waitlist,
please call the gallery at (804) 824-9464
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Kathryn “Kate” Swanson’s love of art began at an early age with art classes starting when she was about five years old. Since then, she has explored a wide variety of media including painting, drawing, pastel, pottery, glass, and fiber. Today, she primarily works in fiber, embracing a medium and technique that she has loved since elementary school. She sees her weaving as a meditative practice that is both calming and exhilarating, and she loves creating works of art that are aesthetically pleasing and often functional. Taking the cloth off the loom and realizing that she’s transformed yarn into handwoven art is one of her favorite parts of being an artist. When she is not weaving, Kate is the Executive Director of Gloucester Arts on Main.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Perspective Workshop
Perspective Workshop
Instructors: Kay Van Dyke and Rebecca West
Friday, January 9th
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
In this class, you’ll start with pencil and paper to master the basics of perspective—how to make your drawings come alive with depth and structure. Then, you’ll transfer your sketch to canvas and bring it to life with color in your own unique style. Together, we’ll explore light, shadow, and composition with the goal of creating a compelling finished painting. All levels welcome—just bring your curiosity and creativity!
Students are required to bring their own supplies.
Supply list:
- No 2 pencils
- Erasers
- 11/14 canvas
- Acrylic paint (If your proficiency is with another medium, please feel free to use it. for example watercolor, gouache or oil)
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
“I believe each individual has the potential to create a masterpiece, even with very little experience if the effort comes from a true desire to express the inner self. Using a palette knife gives the creator another tool to add to a growing toolbox.
I have been an artist since birth. Mostly I paint, but sometimes I sculpt. I believe life is art. Creation is art. Most of my adult life has been lived in the sky as a professional pilot. I have drawn inspiration from the ever-changing skyscape and many visits to breathtaking landscapes. I paint to create something new that wasn’t there before. I sculpt to give form to my ideas which could or could not have a basis in reality.
Art is freedom.”
Palette Knife Workshop: Let it Snow
Palette Knife Workshop: Let it Snow
Instructor: Rebecca West
Saturday, January 3
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Paint a wintery dream with paint and palette knife. Some brushwork involved learn techniques to use in your creations.
Students are required to bring their own supplies.
Supply list:
- small size pallet knife
- Medium brush
- Acrylic paint/Oil paint
- 12x16 canvas (size optional)
Open to all ages and skill levels!
All children must have a parent with them
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
“I believe each individual has the potential to create a masterpiece, even with very little experience if the effort comes from a true desire to express the inner self. Using a palette knife gives the creator another tool to add to a growing toolbox.
I have been an artist since birth. Mostly I paint, but sometimes I sculpt. I believe life is art. Creation is art. Most of my adult life has been lived in the sky as a professional pilot. I have drawn inspiration from the ever-changing skyscape and many visits to breathtaking landscapes. I paint to create something new that wasn’t there before. I sculpt to give form to my ideas which could or could not have a basis in reality.
Art is freedom.”
January 2026 First Friday
January 2026 Group Show
”New Year, New Art”
featuring
Beth Anne Booth, Barbara Brecher, Gloria Clifford, Thomas Ema, Toy Fowler, Mary Ellen Huennekens, Nancy Jacey, John Maples, Heather Salvador
Opening Reception:
Friday, January 2, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Kick off 2026 with a burst of creativity at our group exhibition New Year, New Art! This special show features a fresh collection of works that have never before been exhibited in our gallery, highlighting the innovative visions and evolving voices of our community of artists.
From vibrant new experiments to refined explorations in style and subject, each piece invites viewers to embrace the energy, curiosity, and possibility that a new year brings. Join us in celebrating new beginnings, new perspectives, and new art!
The opening of this show will take place at Arts on Main on Friday, January 2nd from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. This event is free and open to the public! Light bites will be served, and wine and beer will be available for purchase. Live music will be performed by Stella Haile. The show will be on display until Saturday, January 31st. The gallery is open Wednesday - Saturday from 12-5PM.
Thank you to Arts on Main’s January Exhibit Sponsor, Will Grant!
Live music will be performed by Stella Haile at First Friday!
Many thanks to our First Friday Music Sponsors, the Volunteers of Arts on Main!
Singer/Songwriter from Hampton Roads.
Stella Haile is a singer-songwriter based in Newport News, VA. Known for her deeply relatable lyrics and soul-stirring performances, Stella’s music draws listeners into her world, with a voice that’s impossible to forget.
With three singles already streaming and a debut album on the horizon, Stella is carving out her place in the music world. Her songs explore emotions, from growing pains to triumphs. The perfect mix of heartache and hope, delivered with authenticity and grit.
Stella is currently writing and recording new music while performing live at venues across Virginia. Her latest single, Pessimist, invites listeners into an intimate moment of peace alongside anger, showcasing her ability to capture vulnerability through acoustic melodies. Stay tuned for her upcoming album release and sign up for exclusive updates, show dates, and more.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Beth Anne Booth
Beth Anne Booth’s work is grounded in healing, spiritual connection, and personal transformation. Using abstract expressionist techniques, she taps into the subconscious and explores the inner landscape through intuitive, meditative mark-making. Her return to painting followed two profound life events: her journey into sobriety and a double-lung transplant. These experiences became catalysts for healing and inspired two major bodies of work.
The Breathe Series emerged organically as a way to process the physical and emotional depth of undergoing a transplant, honoring the sacredness of breath and life itself. Following that, the Awakening Series reflects the spiritual principles that have guided her recovery—surrender, aligned action, humility, and inner growth—offering a visual narrative of her ongoing journey.
At the heart of Booth’s practice is a desire for connection: with self, with others, with nature, and with the Divine. Her paintings are not only personal expressions but also acts of service—intended to resonate, uplift, and inspire. For Booth, painting is a purpose and a devotion, a commitment to creativity, presence, and transformation.
Find Beth Anne’s work here: https://healingwholerva.com
Barbara Brecher
Barbara Brecher is an award-winning fiber artist and graphic designer and the owner of I Felt Fine DESIGN, a fiber design studio. Over the last 20 plus years, she has worked to develop a unique felting process. Through her innovative dying and painting techniques, and thoughtful, creative designs, Barbara makes it possible to quite literally wear a piece of art! Combining both silk and wool, each piece displays a lively range of vivid color and captivating texture.
Barbara turned to felting after she bought her first computer for her graphic design studio. Before computers became the tool of choice for graphic designers, she spent her days using hand-held tools including markers, paper and pencils. Once she realized she would be sitting in front of a computer designing her work, she searched for a tactile outlet for her creative talents.
In 1990 she was introduced to felting and has been working in this medium ever since. Using silk as a base, she layers wool and silk on the base and attaches everything together by wet felting the materials together. She hand-dyes many of her fabrics.
Find Barbara’s work here: https://ifeltfinedesign.com/
Gloria Clifford
Gloria Clifford, has always had a deep love for the ocean and tropical habitats. As a professional painter, she chooses a brilliant color palette to capture the attention of her audience. Gloria does this to get an urgent message of the plight of endangered and threatened species across to her viewers.
As a SEASONED LICENSED ARTIST, Gloria Clifford's brilliantly colored images are also featured on products within many local retail shops. Her creative images and artistic talent has quickly spread across the globe within the licensed world, specifically within the Home Decor Industry.
Find Gloria’s work here: https://www.gloriaclifford.com/index.html
Thomas Ema
Thomas Ema is a Virginia Fine Artist capturing dramatic light to make the ordinary look extraordinary.
“Having grown up in Williamsburg, Virginia, I have a deep appreciation for history and enduring values.” My passion for painting began while a fine art major at Virginia Tech painting watercolor landscapes of the Blue Ridge Ridge Mountains. After transferring to the Kansas City Art Institute, my artistic training found its sharp focus studying Bauhaus design and receiving a BFA (Design) in 1979.
In 1982, I moved to Denver, Colorado and started and managed my own design firm for over 30 years. In 2006, I began taking oil painting classes and exhibiting at the Arvada Art Center, The Art Students League of Denver and the Denver Art Museum. I have also taken several workshops with renown painter Tim Horn in Scottsdale and Monhegan Island in Maine.
In 2016, I moved back to Williamsburg to pursue painting on a more full time basis. I enjoy revising places first discovered in my childhood and recall taking art classes at the Twentieth Century Art Gallery before I started first grade. I hope you enjoy the images of
places I have returned to revisit with a designer’s eye.”
Toy Fowler
Toy is a Virginia artist that began his studies with local tidewater artist Jack Clifton at age 10. He pursued his degree at Virginia Commonwealth University art program where he received a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts. He later studied at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia where he attended numerous classes and workshops with Robert Liberace, a selected Living Master at the Art Renewal Center and board member of the Portrait Society of America. He also attended workshops with Patricia McMahon Rice and Tina Garrett, a Living Master at the Art Renewal Center. His work has been selected multiple times as finalist in the Portrait Society annual Members Only competition and as a semi-finalist in the Art Renewal Center’s annual salon.
Mary Ellen Huennekens
Mary Ellen Huennekens lives in Saluda with her husband. She has three children and five glorious grandchildren. She is retired from Virginia Commonwealth University where she was an assistant professor in the School of Education. She enjoys community volunteer opportunities, reading, and making quilts. She began sewing at age 12 and made her first quilt many years later. Upon retirement she started Seahorse Quilts, a small cottage business creating and selling fiber art. Mary Ellen shows her work in galleries in Richmond, Kilmarnock, Urbanna, and surrounding counties. Her quilted wall hangings have won awards at Arts in the Middle Fine Arts Festival (Urbanna) and the RAL Gallery in Kilmarnock.
Nancy Jacey
Nancy is a native of Richmond, Virginia. She received a BFA in Studio Art from Virginia Tech, her MFA in Illustration from SCAD and studied at RISD. She is a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America, the UK Coloured Pencil Society, the National Association of Women Artists, the Allied Artists of America, the American Artists Professional League, American Women Artists and the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club. Nancy is an award-winning published artist. She has been featured in Strokes of Genius, Art & Color 365 Magazine, American Art Collector, CP Treasures, COLOR Magazine and on a billboard in Times Square in NYC. Her work has been exhibited in prestigious galleries including the Sasse Museum of Art (CA), the Casa Grande Art Museum (AZ), the Butler Institute of American Art (OH), The Salmagundi Club (NY), One Art Space (NY), Bargehouse (London), Almenara Art Prize (Spain) and is a part of VCU Arts in Healthcare Permanent Collection (VA). In May 2024, Nancy was awarded the ArtField’s People’s Choice 2D $12,500 Award in Lake City, SC, and her work is permanently exhibited in their private collection. She teaches at her own studio, The Jacey Gallery LLC, in Richmond.
Find Nancy’s work here: https://www.nancyjacey.com
John Maples
“To witness an interesting or memorable scene, capture it, and then translate that vision onto canvas is one of life’s great rewards. As a realist painter, I draw inspiration from the Hudson River School artists—their mastery of light, form, and feeling continues to guide my own work. My goal is for each painting to evoke a sense of connection, allowing viewers to experience the same memories and emotions that inspired me. Art, for me, is the means by which I revisit and share meaningful moments—whether they arise from an adventure, a place, or a treasured object.”
Heather Salvador
“I make abstract, expressive paintings driven by bold color, movement, and texture. Painting grounds me and puts me in a state of flow, where each piece becomes an experiment in emotion and curiosity. My work isn’t about realism — it’s about energy and the freedom to be different.”
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
WE'RE CLOSED!
WE'RE CLOSED!
We’re closed for New Year’s Day! Wishing you a warm and wonderful new year! ❄️
We will be back open on Friday, January 2nd from 12-5pm.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
WE'RE CLOSED!
WE'RE CLOSED!
We’re closed for Christmas! Wishing you a warm and wonderful holiday! ❄️
We will be back open on Friday, December 26th from 12-5pm.
Make Your Own Tea Blend! *CLASS FULL!
Make Your Own Tea Blend! ☕️
*CLASS FULL!
Instructor: Lori Whitmore
Saturday, December 20
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Join Lori Whitmore on Saturday, December 20 from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM for a Tea Blending Workshop at Arts on Main!
Looking for a fun, interactive experience to celebrate a special occasion or just treat yourself? Our Tea Blending Workshop is the perfect way to dive into the world of tea, whether you're a long-time tea lover or just getting started! Join us for a delightful afternoon where you'll learn about different herbs, teas, and the art of blending. Discover how to pair flavors, steep your perfect cup, and explore the health benefits of each ingredient. Plus, we’ll spice things up with a fun tea game and a chance to win a prize! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll create your own personalized tea blend, sample it, name it, and package it to take home. You’ll also have the option to create a refreshing fall/winter blend, plus experiment with simple syrup flavors to give your tea a deliciously sweet twist. As a thank-you for attending, you'll receive a goody bag with all of your tea blending essentials. Don't miss out on this tea-filled event—come join us and make some unforgettable memories!
*CLASS FULL!
To be put on the waitlist, please call the gallery at (804) 824-9464
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Lori, “The Tea Lady”Founder & Master Tea Blender, Savory Blends Tea Co.Based in Richmond, VA, Lori is a lifelong tea enthusiast turned entrepreneur, world traveler, and passionate tea educator. Her journey with tea began as a personal obsession—curating unique blends from her travels and exploring the medicinal power of herbs. Today, that passion has blossomed into Savory Blends Tea Co., a handcrafted loose-leaf tea brand rooted in wellness, culture, and creativity. Inspired by an article in Essence magazine about entrepreneurship, Lori felt a spark—one that led her to turn her deep love of tea into a purpose-driven business. Her mission is simple but powerful: to turn tea skeptics into believers, one flavorful steep at a time. Lori specializes in custom wellness blends and loves sharing the healing power of tea through workshops, themed tea parties, community events, and tea catering experiences. Her work has been featured in The Richmond Times-Dispatch, YurView 757, Style Weekly, and she's proud to be a 2024 Comcast RISE Award recipient.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Holiday Paint Night
Holiday Paint Night ☃️
Instructor: Juli Schuszler
Friday, December 12
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join Arts on Main gallery and teacher, Juli Schuszler, on Friday evening, Dec. 12 for a fun time painting. You will be creating a cute image of a snowman man decorated with stars, shining in a snowstorm. The class will be completed using acrylic paint on an 11" x 14" stretched canvas. All materials necessary to paint this image will be provided by the teacher. All levels of experience are welcome, from beginner to experienced. You will receive a full-sized reference picture and printed step-by-step directions. Special instructions will be available to those needing help mixing colors and applying paint to create the details of this scend. Bring a friend, neighbor, relative, spouse for this fun and engaging class.
Open to ALL AGES!
Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Juli Schuszler is a Gloucester artist known for her vibrant and dramatic oil masterpieces showcasing the beauty of the natural world. A passion for color is evident in Juli's paintings, inspired by an ongoing love of nature and gardening. Much of Juli’s inspiration comes from her garden. Juli works from real life observations and her own reference photos, focusing on the play of light and shadow, creating drama and visual interest in her art. Often working on large canvases, Juli paints carefully and slowly, creating numerous layers of paint, building as she goes. Juli says, “I like to search for striking and dramatic light in the images that I collect for my references.... I want to transport the viewer to a beautiful world of color and light with my paintings, to take them into a garden of delight!” Anyone can see that the common thread through all her artwork is a love of color and light. Retired from careers in commercial art and then in teaching Art and English in public school, college, and university, Juli now pursues her own art in her home studio. Her artworks are featured in the Bay School for the Arts, The Charles H. Taylor Art Center, and the Crossroads Art Center as well as the RAL Art Center Gallery.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
2025 Small works show & Holiday Marketplace
SMALL WORKS SHOW & HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE
Opening Reception: Friday, December 5th, 5:30PM - 7:30PM
Support a small, local business this holiday season by gifting your loved one a present that is unique and handmade!
Arts on Main’s Small Works Show and Holiday Marketplace will focus on small, affordable works that are perfect for holiday gift-giving. The Front Gallery and the Gateway Gallery will feature our Small Works Show where all works are 12 x 12 inch or smaller. Throughout the gallery, tables will be set up for our Holiday Marketplace featuring local artists. Our Small Works Show and Holiday Marketplace will run from December 5th to December 27th. The opening of these shows will take place on Friday, December 5th from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served and wine + beer will be available for purchase. Live music will be performed by Hunter Owens.
Artists featured in Arts on Main’s 2025 Small Works Show: Lindsay Adams, Margaret Benton-Jones, Sarah Bushey, Brenda Clark, Gloria Coker, Milica Decker, Ellen DeMaria, Paula Dooley, Donald Dransfield, Carolyn Dudley, Lin Hall, Kelly Harriman, Mike Ivey, Diane Keen, Michael Kravchak, Bob Leek, Joan Lazarus, James Liles, Joyce Meier Pully, Jackie Merritt, Karen Pittman, Connie Powell, Jennie Richards, Doris Roland, Heather Salvador, Collin Scott, Karen Thuermer
Many Thanks to our December Exhibit Sponsors, Tish & Will Grant!
Live music will be performed by Hunter Owens at First Friday! Many thanks to our First Friday Music Sponsors, Gail & Rick Griffin!
Hunter Owens is a country/folk singer-songwriter from Mathews, Virginia. Music has been part of his life for as long as he can remember—he started singing as a child and picked up his first guitar at the age of five. What began as simple strums has grown into a lifelong passion for creating and sharing music.
Influenced by artists like John Denver, James Taylor, and Jim Croce, Hunter’s baritone voice and acoustic style reflect a love for honest, heartfelt songwriting. Over the years, he has performed everywhere from church services and community gatherings to larger stages such as Virginia's Li'l Ole Opry and The Old Dominion Barn Dance.
In addition to his solo work, Hunter is the lead vocalist of Three Creeks Down, a folk, jazz, and country trio that blends guitar, piano, and drums. Whether playing in his hometown or reaching new audiences, Hunter’s goal remains the same: to bring us together in a time when we need it most.
ART & FLOWERS
Stop by the gallery on Friday, December 5th and Saturday, December 6th to view the beautiful floral arrangements created by the Sogetsu School of the Middle Peninsula. Each arrangement is interpreted by a piece of artwork in the gallery.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
WE'RE CLOSED!
WE'RE CLOSED!
We’re closed for Thanksgiving! Wishing you a warm and grateful holiday! 🦃
We will be back open on Friday, November 28th from 12-5pm.
Charcoal Drawing Workshop
Charcoal Drawing Workshop
Instructor: Jody Ball
Saturday, November 22
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Come and explore the world of charcoal by drawing this pewter teapot on a toned paper surface with charcoal pencils. We will practice and explore ways to create a three-dimensional metallic look on a flat surface! Using the grid system, Jody will teach you how to make a line drawing of the teapot. After you transfer your teapot to the final drawing paper, you will begin to fill in the areas with soft strokes and layers of charcoal as the teapot takes shape on your paper. Jody will give you tips and advice as you work your way through this project. For beginner to experienced students, some drawing experience is helpful but not necessary. Everything you need is supplied in the workshop. Come and join us!
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
“Drawing and painting have been a part of my life as long as I can remember. As a child, my parents enrolled me in art lessons with a prominent hometown artist after my mother declared that all I did was draw and color! I now live in Deltaville, VA, but passionately taught art to students of all ages for many years in a homeschool co-op environment and my studio when I lived in Ohio. My first love is the pastel medium, and my representational paintings usually tend towards a softened, sometimes impressionistic appearance. Nature is my inspiration, and I am possessed by the colors, forms, and textures that are possible in creating two-dimensional art. My paintings grace the walls of many homes across the country, and I currently show my paintings at Gloucester Arts on Main, the RAL Art Center in Kilmarnock, and the Bay School Community Arts Center in Mathews.”
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
Paper Beads Workshop
Paper Beads Workshop
Instructor: Gudrun Kiel-Bullock
Saturday, November 15
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Learn how to make easy and colorful paper beads in many shapes and sizes, even Pandora-style beads. Different ways to use the beads will also be demonstrated such as in jewelry pieces, keychain fobs, ornaments, charms, etc.
For ages 15+
Students are required to bring their own supplies. Click the button below to view the supply list.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
“Creating art has always been a main focus in my life. Professionally, I worked as a graphic designer for many years while also pursuing other creative activities. I moved to Virginia 20 years ago and spent the first 6 years as a wildlife rehabilitator raising mostly orphaned baby squirrels. In 2012 I returned to art in the form of drawing in graphite, charcoal, and colored pencils. Fiber art has always interested me and Idiscovered felting in 2015. Creating in fiber – wet and needle felting as well as tapestry weaving – is currently where my journey has taken me. I enjoy the challenge of starting with loose wool fibers and in the case of wet felting, work with soap, water, and agitation to form my vision into a picture or vessel. In needle felting I also start with loose fibers but a barbed needle is my tool and with many needle stabs I create a picture or sculpture. I find both felting and weaving meditative in its repetitiveness and I like that I am using ancient art forms to create something contemporary. But no matter what form creation takes, for me, it is always about the joy of finding that seed of inspiration and seeing it come into form. My art has been accepted in many juried shows and has won awards. I am a member of the Williamsburg Spinners and Weavers and exhibit at the Art Speaks Gallery in Mathews. I have also taught classes in felting and weaving.”
Open Studio
Bring your art & supplies and paint from 12:00pm-2:00pm. You’ll work alongside other artists in the community, create new friendships, and get great advice on your next masterpiece. There is no cost to attend and no need to make reservations.
4th and 5th grade Palette Pals Reception
Palette Pals Reception at Arts on Main
Thursday, November 13
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Join us at Arts on Main on Thursday, November 13th from 5:30pm - 6:30pm for a reception featuring 4th and 5th Grade Palette Pals!
One artist from each class will receive a “Best in Show” award!
Palette Pals is Arts on Main’s signature educational program and part of our Youth Art Enrichment Programs. Founded in 2011 in one elementary school as the After-School Enrichment Program, it is now in every elementary school in Gloucester County, with over 3000 children participating to date. Palette Pals is currently conducted as an extracurricular, before-school program for students in grades K-5, led by the school’s art teacher. The program’s focus is on teaching STEAM-based art lessons that focus on current SOL objectives in math and science. Our goals are to provide hands-on experiential learning through art making and to increase student understanding of concepts related to math and science. This program is provided at no charge to the children or the schools and relies solely on grants and donations.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Artist Talk + Demonstration
“The Art of Layering: Techniques and Textures in Mixed Media”
Artist Talk + Demonstration with Robert Placky
Saturday, November 8
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Robert Placky shares techniques that transform surfaces through layering, texture, and experimentation. From acrylic lifts and ink transfers to rice paper and found materials, participants will discover how mixed media can expand creative expression. The talk emphasizes process, play, and the power of materials to shape meaning and form.
This event is free and open to the public!
MEET ROBERT PLACKY
Robert is a retired Art Educator & Exhibiting Artist living in Montross, VA.
Education
B.S. in Art Education, Pennsylvania State University
Graduate Studies (M.S. credits), Penn State University
Additional coursework: Virginia Commonwealth University; Manhattan College
Teaching Career
State College Area Senior High School (1982–2015)
Taught Drawing, Painting, and Advanced Placement Studio Art; mentored students in portfolio development
Coordinated AP Studio Art portfolio submissions (1999–2015)
Organized The Decade Shows and The Decade3 Show, featuring 55 alumni artists and a published catalog
Park Forest Junior High School (1974–1981)
International Teacher Exchange, North Geelong Secondary College, Victoria, Australia (1994)
Exhibitions (Selected)
Best of the Best, Shippensburg University (2014)
Images 2012 & 2013, Central PA Festival of the Arts, Robeson Gallery, Penn State University
Art Alliance of Central PA Juried Exhibitions (multiple years)
Presentations (Selected)
National Art Education Association – AP Studio Art portfolios, thematic teaching, and innovative studio practices (NYC, Baltimore, Washington, DC)
Pennsylvania Art Education Association – multiple workshops and lectures
Awards & Honors
Teacher Fellowships: CENTRO (Mexico City, 2013); Maryland Institute College of Art (2005)
Skidmore Six /Artist /Art Educators: summer residency at Skidmore College (1993)
Excellence in Instruction Commendation, Pennsylvania School Study Council (2008)
Superintendent’s Award, State College Area School District (2005)
Member, Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania (2007–2022)
Member, Tappahanock Art Guild (2025)