Art fans in the Northern Neck were thrilled to hear that an artists’ cooperative had been formed in Colonial Beach, to keep open JarretThor Fine Arts (JTFA), as a premier art space. The co-op is dubbed the Artists’ Alliance (AA) and includes 20 top regional artists. Many different artistic media are featured including: painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor, and pastel), photography, pottery, encaustic, stained glass, basketry, and jewelry. AA is directed by a team of three volunteers. Carl and Joyce Thor, owners of JTFA for the past ten years, will maintain gallery and office space in the adjoining galleries. AA’s grand opening was Jul 13.
The Artists’ Alliance will be holding an open house for the Artisan Trail’s Second Saturday event in August (Aug 11). Hours are 11 am to 5pm. Work from the full complement of 20 artists will be on display. Noted Northern Neck painter Steve Griffin is the featured artist of the month.
Steve will be present on the 11th for a meet the artist session from 1-3 pm. Steve is currently working on a series of small paintings. He works with abstract geometric compositions on each panel separately and, after much rearranging, settles on a pair of two panels for each painting. Sometimes the combinations are based on harmonious colors or compositions, whereas other combinations are chosen for opposing or contrasting shapes and colors.
The Second Saturday event will also feature new work from all of our artists. The AA gallery display will have changed the previous night, with Colonial Beach’s Second Friday Art Walk. (I know, that’s a lot of second days of the week.) AA also displays kitchen and bathroom art (in the gallery kitchen and bathroom). And, visitors are eligible for a free monthly drawing for a small piece of art, in exchange for their email address. The drawing continues throughout the show, with a winner announced at the September opening.
The gallery is located at 100 Taylor St., Suite 101, in Colonial Beach. The public is invited free of charge. For information call 804-224-7200, 804-224-6007, or 301-452-1333. The show runs until August 5. The gallery hours are 11am - 5pm, Thursday – Sunday.
