“Great Art, Small Prices” Helps Paint a Brighter Future for Artists

Written by Shayda Windle | Images courtesy of The Artists in Middleburg 

There’s no better way to embrace the spirit of this holiday season than through the support of local organizations like the Artists in Middleburg (AiM) that do so much to bolster the arts in and around Hunt Country. AiM is a nonprofit whose mission is to champion creativity in the visual arts for people of all ages and abilities in our community, especially youth, through educational programs and exhibitions. Each month, AiM hosts juried exhibitions, the proceeds from which help supplement art programs at local schools in the Middleburg area.

In November, AiM kicked off their annual “Great Art, Small Prices” (GASP) juried show, which will continue through December and close out on January 7. This year, the exhibit includes 85 artists and 160 works of art, a record number for AiM, according to Executive Director Sandy Danielson. Jurors carefully chosen by AiM select art for each exhibit. “Jurors must have an expansive knowledge of art, be open to a wide range of styles and techniques, [and] be inclusive at all ability levels, since our mission is to encourage, not discourage, individuals in their creative pursuits,” Danielson shares.

This year’s jurors included award-winning painter Sarita Moffat alongside self-taught artist Anne Reid of Fauquier County. Best in Show went to Len Garon for his “Morning Sail” piece — an 8-by-10-inch oil painting he describes as embodying the “emotion, design, and power/mood of the moment.” Second place went to Suzanne Lago Arthur for “Peony Bush,” a 5-by-7-inch oil painting, and third to Jana Curcio, whose piece “May” is part of an original series that she says captures “what it means to be in nature and of nature as a human form.” 

All pieces are available for immediate purchase, at affordable prices, with every item marked at $500 or less. In addition to the winning pieces, you will also find new artworks crafted by local artisans ideal for your gift-giving needs, including original watercolors, photography, mixed media, ceramics, and more. From views of Piedmont landscapes to gardens in England, Virginia farmlands, and tranquil winter streams, each piece embodies the unique perspectives that make the artisans of Hunt Country so special. Stop by the Artists in Middleburg gallery between now and January 7 to check out the GASP exhibit and let art become a meaningful part of your daily life. You may find out more about AiM at theartistsinmiddleburg.org. ML

Published in the December 2023 issue of Middleburg Life.