BARC announces the Spring Appalachian Artist Association show in the Paine Gallery

BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS) — The Appalachian Artist Association opened its annual Spring show at the Paine Gallery in the Bluefield Arts Center and features the work of 15 artists from across the region.

The exhibit opened on June 5, 2024 and ends on July 2; the event is open on weekdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by appointment. A Meet-the Artists Reception will take place June 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Gallery.

The Appalachian Artists Association is a membership organization composed of juried artists from southern West Virginia and southwestern Virginia. Spanning multiple mediums and a variety of styles, the members are united by their common goal of sharing their passion for art with those around them.

The Bluefield Arts and Revitalization Corporation (BARC) is proud to once more host the event in the Paine Gallery. The Gallery is located on the first floor of the Bluefield Arts Center at 500 Bland Street in downtown Bluefield.

The exhibition features more than 50 works from multiple artist in a plethora of media, including watercolors, acrylics, encaustic mixed media, and 3-D pieces. It also features many pieces by the association’s president, Isaac Preston, vice-president Cindy Gillespie, and treasurer Walter Shroyer, who chaired the Art Department at Bluefield University for many years.

Award winners announced on Monday by judge Sarah Romeo, a Paintlick, VA resident who studied art in Florence, Italy, and holds a MFA from Yale University, include Andrea Brunais, whose exhibit was showcased in the Paine Gallery in March 2023, for the Best in Show ribbon. Newcomer award recipients include Emlee, whose acrylic work, “Velouria,” captured a second place ribbon.

In addition to offering movies, music, dance, and live theater in downtown Bluefield, BARC is also committed to bringing fine art to the city. The members of the Appalachian Artist Association represent some of the best artists in the region and we are pleased to once again host its annual show.

Mimi Merritt | Chair of BARC’s Paine Gallery Comittee

BARC is a community-centered non-profit that owns the Granada Theater and Raleigh Street Cinemas, offering new movies and multiple other entertainment events throughout the year. BARC also manages the Paine Gallery in the Bluefield Arts Center, holding free exhibits with a variety of artists on a rotating basis. The Theater, cinemas, and gallery are available to rent for private events. For more information on renting these spaces, call Tim Smith at (304) 887-2378. For more information on BARC, visit their website.

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