Can’t-Miss Exhibits in Hunt Country This Summer

Written by Shayda Windle

“Ocean Dreams” at The Byrne Gallery

The ocean is calling even from Hunt Country. Though we are several hours from the nearest beach, you can take a trip to the seashore with the “Ocean Dreams” exhibit taking place at The Byrne Gallery this summer. “Ocean Dreams” features a stunning collection by local artists Jeffrey Kibler, Shawn Hennesy, Stuart Hindle, and Regina Miele, showcasing their interpretation of the ocean. From the picturesque shores of the Chesapeake Bay to the vast expanses of the Atlantic Ocean, each artwork invites viewers on a journey of exploration and contemplation. “Ocean Dreams” is on display until the end of August. Continue reading for more information on the featured artists. 

Jeffrey Kibler

An artist his whole life, Jeffrey Kibler draws endless inspiration from the ever-shifting vistas of land meeting sea. Of his work, Kibler says, “I always look at my surroundings and focus on details, such as the close-up of a flower, a portion of the human form, portraits, hands, or the collision of the sea, sky, and sand. I believe the detail of shadow on fabric, a leaf, or the body makes the art come alive.” 

Among the highlights of his upcoming exhibition are two striking pieces, each measuring 36 inches square: “Ft. Lauderdale in February” and “7 PM Rehoboth Beach.” These works, alongside three others, offer viewers a captivating glimpse into Kibler’s profound connection with coastal environments and his adept ability to capture their essence on canvas.

Shawn Hennesy

Shawn Hennesy, son of World War II veteran and revered artist Gerald Hennesy, continues his family’s artistic legacy with a showcase of his mesmerizing oceanscapes. 

Hennesy is excited to share his favorite subject: beach scenes. “I love the sea and shore, especially in the morning when the sun rises and casts a warm glow,” he says. “I try to capture the peaceful feeling I have in those moments through my art.” 

Stuart Hindle

Stuart Hindle, a contemporary impressionist realist from Vienna, Virginia, presents “Morning Reflections,” a 36-by-36-inch oil on canvas. Inspired by morning encounters with the Lewes and Rehoboth landscapes, Hindle meticulously crafts scenes capturing the ethereal beauty of dawn. Using her own photographs as guides, she employs intricate brushwork to infuse her artwork with detailed realism. 

She shares, “I used to wake up at 5 a.m. and take pictures of the sunrises. The ocean changes every day, the light is different every morning, and you never know what you’re going to get. If there are clouds, it is more beautiful.” 

Regina Miele

Inspired by a study abroad experience at the birthplace of the Renaissance, Regina Miele began her career as an artist with intensive studio training in painting, drawing, sculpture, and theory. In her work, Miele employs traditional materials and enjoys exploring various mediums. 

“I switch between different mediums when I paint and sometimes use watercolors for color testing,” she explains. “Right now, I’m completely focused on pastels. Sometimes I draw in charcoal before returning to a painting.” Her versatility extends to painting cityscapes, interiors, and portraits, demonstrating her multifaceted talent.

“Native Voices of Loudoun County: Past and Present” with Bluemont Heritage

Join the people of Loudoun County for an interactive exhibit dedicated to honoring the history, culture, and invaluable contributions of local Native American communities — both past and present. Held at the Plaster Museum of Bluemont Heritage in the historic E.E. Lake Store in Bluemont, this captivating experience takes place every Sunday from 12 to 3 p.m. from now until October 13.

Visitors will discover the vibrant legacy and celebrate the enduring presence of the Indigenous peoples of Loudoun County. This exhibit offers the opportunity to engage with interactive displays, delight in kids’ activities, explore arts and crafts, and partake in captivating storytelling sessions. On July 7 and 28, René Locklear White, a Lumbee Native American and a co-founder and president of the Native American Church of Virginia, will lead guided tours of the exhibit. She shares, “Understanding and appreciating our Indigenous cultures is vital to recognizing the diverse fabric of our democracy and land that we all call home.”

For further information, visit harvestgathering.org. Parking is available at the Bluemont Post Office.

“‘Honoring the Point’: The Gwynne McDevitt Sporting Collection” at the National Sporting Library & Museum

Throughout her storied life, Gwynne Garbisch McDevitt pursued a love of sporting culture, curating an impressive collection of sporting art to include her beloved Gordon setters, English setters, and Tennessee walking horses. McDevitt, granddaughter of Walter B. Chrysler — the business mogul who founded the Chrysler Corporation — spent many days filled with horseback riding and wildfowl shooting on the preserve he established. She foxhunted with both Radnor Hunt and Pickering Hunt in Pennsylvania until the early 1980s, when she became a dedicated bird dog breeder and handler and established Doubledee Farm and Kennels in Newtown Square with her sporting animals. 

“Honoring the Point” pays homage to the art of field trials, where dogs guided by a handler compete in pairs to find game birds. According to the American Kennel Club’s Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedure for Pointing Breeds, “honoring” occurs “when a dog stops immediately or within a few steps, usually in a pointing stance, upon observing a bracemate on point.” More importantly, “A dog that honors naturally, requiring no command to stop, must be given more credit for bird work than a dog requiring a command.” Field trials are based on these rules and reward dogs that display flawless manners. It was a sport McDevitt was so passionate about that she wrote a love letter to her champion Gordon setter, Dare, when he died.

McDevitt’s collection includes 84 paintings, watercolors, prints, sculptures, and a weather vane created by a variety of 19th- and 20th-century American, British, and French sporting artists who excelled at authentically portraying their subjects. It is a visual journey that transports viewers from the fields of Pennsylvania to English foxhunting territory, and even to polar-bear-inhabited ice caps. The NSLM invites you to experience this collection, on display until September 15. It will also be available as a virtual tour.

In addition to this expansive collection, the NSLM is honored to have the artworks of classically trained Jack Boul on display — an extraordinary artist who, now 97 years old, found beauty in painting the disappearing countryside of Virginia and Maryland. Boul’s work en plein air includes marvelous painted images of cows, chickens, and barnyard animals in different positions. He returns to them time and again because they are timeless subjects. “It is one of the few things I can think of that you have complete control over. You do it, you make it, and it’s over,” Boul once said. Be sure to stop by his exhibit on the second floor of the NSLM this summer to see a variety of his artwork dating from 1965 to 2022. Visitors will also have a chance to hear commentary from Eric Denker, a senior lecturer at the National Gallery of Art, and watch an interview with Boul to gain insight into his work and process. Find out more at nationalsporting.org. 

Sandra Forbush on Display at the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America

Beginning July 20, The Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America will exhibit a collection of paintings by the acclaimed artist and former horsewoman Sandra Massie Forbush. To complement the paintings featured in this exclusive exhibit, memorabilia loaned from locals of the Piedmont region, as well as Forbush’s own collection and her daughter’s, will also be on display. 

Of her work, Forbush says, “Horses, dogs, and people — they are all portraits. I have an interest in the expression, the eyes, and character of the individual I’m painting.”

Forbush’s journey as a working artist began after a tragic car accident in 1989, which resulted in a broken back, neck, and ribs. Before the accident, she was a professional horsewoman who competed in sidesaddle events and foxhunted regularly. She also bred Thoroughbred yearlings for exclusive sales and raised broodmares and foals at her Foxhall Farm.

The recovery period marked a turning point in her life, as she pursued her passion for drawing and took classes at the Corcoran Institute of Art and Northern Virginia Community College. But as Forbush recalls, “Instead of driving long distances to art class once a week, I learned more by staying home and painting.” And that’s what she did. With characteristic passion and persistence, Forbush taught herself various methods and mediums of painting and became a prominent artist, exhibiting in juried shows in Virginia and New York. She maintains private collections across the Piedmont region, while still taking commissions.

Katrina Ryan of the Museum of Hounds & Hunting describes Forbush’s work as “larger than life.” She adds, “She has been through so much with her accident that it is an honor to have her work displayed here.”

To learn more about Forbush and her art, visit sandraforbush.com, and for more from the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America, visit mhhna.org/events-exhibits. There will be an opening reception on July 20. Those interested in attending can book their reservation in advance through MHHNA’s website. ML

Featured photo: “Nancy ex. M.F.H. on Latte out with Keswick,” by Sandra Forbush.

Published in the July 2024 issue of Middleburg Life.