#tamarackwv

[toddshort]

#art #pastel #paper #tamarackwv

[tamarackgallerywv]

Congratulations to Third Place Winner William K. Lightner of Kanawha Co.

Kanawha Co. artist William K. Lightner fondly recalls receiving an art set for Christmas when he was seven or eight years old. He best remembers a flip book that showed the evolution of simple drawn lines to a finished charcoal rendering of a bulldog, a progression that reminded him of watching a short animated cartoon. Though the book and the kit are now gone, the seed had already been planted for Lightner’s lifelong fascination with visual art.

Lightner spent his grade school years capturing hot rods, planes, and tanks in his sketches as well as super heroes from his extensive comic book collection. Over time, his notebook covers and sketchbooks filled with original comic storylines until one day, a “curmudgeonly” art instructor told him it was time to stop cartooning and learn how to draw. Not long after, he earned third place in a youth art contest with a pen and ink rendition of a baby possum.

Ligthner had planned to major in Art Education after graduation, but instead settled on Social Work and Psychology as an academic focus. He found it to be a good fit, though he continued to draw advertisements, comic strips, and editorial cartoons for a local news publication. While he enjoyed exercising his creative passions, art-based projects eventually took a backseat to his career as a counselor for the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation, a position he held for 26 years.

In the year 2000, the onset of a serious illness changed everything for Lightner. After numerable medical treatments, and support from his wife Libby, he emerged from his prolonged health crisis and finally determined he would commit to creating artwork. Since that time, Lightner has found a strong connection with oil painting, and began to participate in various art associations, juried shows, art walks, and festivals. Though he continues to deal with health issues, he has taken advantage of an early retirement, and now has little excuse not to paint every day.

This year, Lightner has earned recognition from Tamarack’s annual The Best of West Virginia Open Juried Exhibition for his diptych painting Duet, which took third place honors.  According to exhibition jurors, the piece “…captures an authentic moment in time, a snapshot in paint.”

Congratulations to William K. Lightner for earning 3rd place in Tamarack’s 2016 Best of West Virginia Open Juried Exhibition.

[tamarackgallerywv]

Call for Entries: “The Best of West Virginia Open Juried Exhibition”

Every year, TAMARACK: The Best of West Virginia and the Tamarack Foundation for the Arts celebrate the creative diversity of West Virginia artists and artisans by hosting this special juried competition. 

While exhibitions at Tamarack usually feature work by juried Tamarack artists, this juried exhibit is open to be entered by any artist currently residing in the state of West Virginia. Participating artists are eligible to win up to five monetary prizes, including the David L. Dickirson Best in Show Award of $2,000. Prize money forThe Best of West Virginia Open Juried Exhibition is generously provided by the Tamarack Foundation for the Arts and its donors. If you or someone you know is interested in entering this year’s Open Juried Exhibition, please take a moment to view the prospectus by clicking the link at the bottom of this post. It contains important deadline information, application instructions, and eligibility guidelines to have work considered by the jury for the show. Please note, all entries must be received by April 18, 2016.

Please feel free to share this post with those you think would like to learn more about our annual Juried Exhibit. And, as always, thank you for your supporting the art and artists of West Virginia. Click here to view the 2016 Best of West Virginia Open Juried Exhibition Prospectus

[tamarackgallerywv]

COMING SOON - 11/8/15

Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony: Sunday, November 8, 4:00pm

Exhibition Run: November 8, 2015 - February 21, 2016

The West Virginia Division of Culture & History and TAMARACK: The Best of West Virginia invite you to the 2015 West Virginia Juried Exhibition Awards Ceremony & Opening Reception on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 4:00pm. This event is free and open to the public.

The division will present up to $33,000 in awards for the exhibition, which are made available through the West Virginia Commission on the Arts and the WVDCH through funds appropriated by the West Virginia Legislatureand the National Endowment for the Arts.

Since 1979, the Division of Culture & History's biennial event celebrates the exceptional talents and creativity of Mountain State artists. This year's exhibition will open at Tamarack with an awards ceremony and reception at 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015. The show will remain on display through February 21, 2016.

The exhibit showcases the work of state artists and craftspeople and provides the public with a comprehensive view of art and craft activities in the state.

[tamarackgallerywv]

"He's right behind me isn't he?" These face jugs by Harrison County artist, Ed Klimek, sure have a lot to say. Stop in the gallery and check them out while they're still here! #art #artoftheday #instaart #tamarackwv #wv #pottery #ceramics

[tamarackgallerywv]

Greenbrier County artist, Sandra Schmocker, shows off her talents with this piece titled: 'Rust' #art #artoftheday #instaart #tamarackwv #wv #acrylic #ourappalachia