Bits and Pieces Opens on November 19 with Artist Reception at Falls Church Arts
Forty-one artists will demonstrate how disparate articles can be combined to create an innovative art work during Bits and Pieces, an all-media show at Falls Church Arts gallery from November 19 through January 8, 2023.
The show features 50 pieces that include collage, assemblage, upcycled art, fiber art, jewelry, and more. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, November 19 at 7:30 pm. The Juror’s Choice Award and honorable mentions will be announced during the event. Participating artists will be on hand to answer questions about their processes and inspiration.
The Falls Church Arts gallery is located at 700-B West Broad St. (Route 7), Falls Church. It is open Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Masks are optional and guests are asked to postpone their visit if they are not well.
Artworks can viewed online at www.fallschurcharts.org. All pieces can be purchased at the gallery or on the website.
A $150 Juror’s Choice Award and a $50 People’s Choice Award were made possible by a donation from DuBro Architects + Builders, 429 S. Maple Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046. The People’s Choice Award will be announced on December 24, based on votes from visitors to the gallery.
Juror for Bits and Pieces, artists and longtime art faculty member, Sherry Trachtman, commented broadly about the submissions. “It was a pleasure and a challenge to serve as Juror for the “Bits and Pieces Show” at Falls Church Arts. Overall, the work was strong with several stand out pieces. Submissions were made by artists at all levels: beginners; those entering shows regularly as they learn and grow; and seasoned professional artists. Besides these varying stages of accomplishment, my consideration also included the size and shape of the gallery itself, and the huge differences in the scale, materials and techniques of the entries.”
“The entrants’ interpretation of the concept, “Bits and Pieces” was very interesting. As expected, there were many collages and assemblages which fit this bill by definition, but sculpture, mobiles, paintings, woodcuts, photography, jewelry, altered books, fiber, glass and digital art was also submitted! Bravo on such diversity! As in most juried shows, I needed to omit more pieces than I could select, and to respect the physical aspects and hanging methods of the gallery. My goal was to represent the great variety of the submissions by including as many entrants’ works as I could to keep the show as even and strong as I could.”
Sherry Trachtman began her art practice as a painter and printmaker. For the last 15 years, Trachtman has focused on creating 3D wall-hung collage assemblages and free-standing assemblage sculptures.
Over the last 20 years, Trachtman has juried many shows at venues in Northern Virginia including the Art League Gallery, Alexandria; Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria and Annandale; The Arlington Artists Alliance, Arlington; Falls Church Community Arts, Falls Church; and the Capitol Hill Arts League in Washington, DC.
Artists with work in the show include:
John Allen, Tammy Barnes, Maria Brito, Rhys Conlon, Pamela Crockett,
Astrid De Vachon, Steph DeHart, Vicky Dorn-Fontana, Michele Frantz,
Bob Friedman, Doug Fuller, Steena Fullmer-Anderson, Paula Grossman, James Hengst, Pamela Huffman, Chris Kagy, Maggie Kerrigan, Mallory Kimmel,
JoAnn Laboy, Susan Lapham, Naomi Lipsky, Joyce McCarten, Molly McCracken, Jane McElvany Coonce, David Merrell, Rashad Ali Muhammad, Jennifer Murphy, Kathryn Nelson, Adam Odomore, Helen Power, Andrea Salzman, Cynthia Schoeppel, Todd Schvaneveldt, Bryan Sieling, Joan Slottow,
Darren Smith, Maria Temoltzin, Suzanne Updike, Casey Wait, Robert Wiener, and Amanda Wood.
Since Falls Church Arts’ inception in 2003, it has focused on the visual arts, bringing opportunities to exhibit, learn about, share, and experience art to the community. Education has been at the heart of the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Classes cater to all ages and skill levels and focus on developing or enhancing core skills. Emerging and professional artists are encouraged to participate in the juried exhibits at the gallery.
Falls Church Arts is supported by the strong funding of its members and the generosity of corporate donors and the community at large and has been the honored recipient of grants from the City of Falls Church’s CATCH Foundation and Arts Fairfax. To become a member or learn more, go to www.fallschurcharts.org.
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