Art groups inspire creativity
By Marcy Horwitz CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Lisa Billings/Chesterfield Observer Betty Matthews (left), chairman of the Chester Center for the Arts Foundation, shows a piece of art to county resident Rosalie Owens during a recent event in Chester.

Artists are famous for their ability to work alone for long stretches of time with only their creativity as a companion. But even artists need the stimulation that comes from seeing the work of other artists and talking about new ideas and different techniques. That is the basis behind the area's artist groups. Three art groups serve the needs of Chesterfield residents.

James River

The James River Art League (JRAL), the area's oldest organization of its kind, has been serving area artists for over 40 years. Elizabeth Eddowes, JRAL's president, cites some of the issues the league and its members face.

Organizing exhibits in office buildings and hospitals is a win-win for both artists and businesses, she says. Artists gain a wider following for their work - and often manage to sell pieces as well - and businesses and their clients enjoy the art. Hospital exhibits are especially welcomed by patients, visitors and staff alike. But, says Eddowes, "It's hard to find exhibition spaces." The league works hard to secure quality spaces for its members' exhibits.

The James River Art League meets the third Friday of every other month at the Bon Air Library, 9103 Rattlesnake Road. Meetings are open to both members and the public at large. Eddowes invites interested people to the league's next meeting, to be held on Friday, Nov. 21, at 11.30 a.m. For more information, contact her at BettyEddowes@cox.net.

Bon Air

The Bon Air Artists Association (BAAA) was founded in 1974 by painter J'net Kaulfers. In addition to organizing exhibitions of members' work throughout the area, BAAA organizes an annual "Art Affair." From its original location at Bellegrade to the grounds of Johnston-Willis to its current location, the "Art Affair" has been one of the area's most enduring and popular shows.

This year's "Art Affair" will take place on Oct. 18 and 19 at Stony Point Fashion Park. The show offers an opportunity for the public to see and purchase original fine art produced by top quality artists and craftspeople.

"Art Affair" also helps support the community. Proceeds from the show will be donated to ChildSavers (formerly, Memorial Child Guidance Clinic), a group that has enjoyed BAAA's support for 16 years. Additional funds will be directed toward two BAAAinitiated art scholarships at VCU. In the past 15 years, BAAA has contributed over $80,000 to area charities.

Sarah Coyle co-chairs the 2008 show, along with Christopher Wynn and Marti Franks.

"The 'Art Affair' is a win-win-win situation for everyone involved," says Coyle, from the businesses that support the show with their contributions, to the painters, jewelers, potters, sculptors and photographers who display their works during the two-day show, to charities like ChildSavers and VCU. "But the big winner is the public." People who visit the show get to enjoy and purchase art - contemporary, traditional, and everything in between.

BAAA members meet at 9.30 a.m. on the first Friday of each month at Huguenot United Methodist Church, 10661 Duryea Drive. If you're interested in raising cultural awareness, interacting with area artists and helping stage exhibits, BAAA welcomes your membership inquiry. To learn more, visit www.bonairarts.org.

Chester

County artists may also want to learn more about the Chester Center for the Arts Foundation. The foundation isn't an artists' association proper, but it does support area artists by regularly arranging and publicizing exhibitions at the Chester Library.

The group is currently raising funds to build a multidisciplinary center for music, theater and the visual arts in Chester. As proposed, the 33,000-square-foot center would include a 500-seat theatre and multipurpose rooms for rehearsals, sculptures, music, art and children's art. The lobby would likely double as an art gallery.

For more information about the foundation, call 748-5555.