What’s Going on at the Tappahannock Artists’ Guild

In October 2011, the newly formed Tappahannock Artists Guild opened the doors of the Tappahannock Art Gallery at the corner of Prince Street and Water Lane. It was established to provide “Art for the Community and a Community for Artists.” Since that time, the gallery has become a true community art center, providing an excellent venue for showcasing the work of local artists and for providing instruction and inspiration for the old and young alike.

The Tappahannock Artists Guild continues to be an official site on the “River to Bay Artisans Trail” linking the gallery with other art venues within the Middle Peninsula.

This year TAG is offering exciting opportunities for our citizens and for those visiting our community. We are pleased to announce that TAG is sponsoring the second annual “Tidelands Plein Air Event,” which will be attended by more than 30 artists from the midAtlantic region. From April 1 to April 4, talented artists will capture the beauty

of our rivers, marshes, farms and historical architecture on their canvasses. Their work will be displayed for sale on Saturday, April 4 at the old Beale Memorial Church.

TAG will also sponsor a Children’s Art Show April 15 to May 17 to share

the fantastic talent that is being nurtured in our public and private schools. TAG will once again offer a week-long summer camp session for our youth (ages 8-18). This is scheduled for July 13 to 17.

The organization will continue to offer “KidzArt” (a flexible arts and crafts opportunity for youth of any age), from 10:30 a.m. until noon every third Saturday from April through November during the Tappahannock Farmers’ Market.

For our more mature citizens, TAG offers its “Sip and Dip” series, 6 to 8 p.m. on the fourth Thursday during the months of April, June, August, and October. With the guidance of a local art instructor and the support of appropriate refreshment, participants will discover their own hidden talents.

TAG has the good fortune to be a partner with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Through this relationship, the gallery is able to offer day-long workshops provided by VMFA instructors, at no cost to participants. Areas of instruction being considered include: the Art of Photography, Indian Block Printing, and Painting and Glass Art.

TAG will also be offering two additional classes provided by local artists. Joyce Crown-Wilkins will be offering a workshop on stained glass and mosaics, and Celeste Johnston will lead a class on botanical art. Look to our website (tapparts.org) for dates and times.

In addition to the display of artwork from our exhibiting members, TAG scheduled unique individual shows and group events: From January 10 until February 23, Sherry Turille presented beautiful photography that reflects the classical world (“Whispers of Shadow and Light”); from February 28 until April 12, “Vita Nova,” a mixed media show by the KonKons; from April 17 until May 17, Student Art Show; from May 22 until July 5, works by local artist, Peggy Rennolds; from July 10 until August 28, juried Summer Art Show; from August 28 until October 11, TBA; and from October 16 until November 28, TBA.

Finally, the TAG artist members will participate in the annual “Holiday Show,” from Dec. 4, 2020, to Jan. 8, 2021.

To learn more about TAG and its programs you may visit our website at tapparts.org, check out our Facebook page: Tappahannock Artists Guild, or contact us at tappartsguild@gmail.com.