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Fine Art Show & Sale returns to War Memorial Building after year’s hiatus

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Jul 23, 2021

Second from left, Martinsburg resident and painter Mary Alice Bowers shows off her work at the Fine Art Show & Sale to her husband, Tim, and friends, Shepherdstown residents Carol and Doug Allemong. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — A steady stream of art enthusiasts and artists swept through the War Memorial Building over the weekend, to view the Potomac River Artists Guild’s Fine Art Show & Sale. The show was the first the group has held in a year, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

According to Potomac River Artists Guild member Jane Horst, of Martinsburg, the closure of the guild’s bi-annual art shows, as well as other in-person art events, was challenging.

“Last year was rough, because we weren’t able to have any shows,” Horst said. “But luckily, thanks to a lot of people getting vaccinated over the past few months, we’ve been able to schedule both of our shows again this year! I think all of our members have the vaccine.

“A lot of our artists didn’t feel safe having a show, so we didn’t hold any last year. We had a meeting in April, and we looked at the CDC recommendations together. We all voted and decided that we could do it again!” Horst said, regarding the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s COVID-19 advice.

The 21-year-old guild is known for holding two events every year in the War Memorial Building: the Fine Art Show & Sale in July and an art show and sale in December. While art prints are sold at the December show, the July show only features original art, Horst said.

“The venue is lovely!” said Morgan County-based guild member of 15 years Sue Parker. “We’ve done our shows so often here, that people ask us when is the next one.”

While the guild members are aware the pandemic may get worse, by December, they are confident in being able to avoid cancelling their winter show for a second year in a row.

“We are hoping to still hold our show in December,” Parker said. “Based on what’s happening today, we’ll only need to get booster shots to deal with the coronavirus variants, and we’ll be okay!”

According to Parker, the juried guild can have a membership of up to 20 artists. However, it currently contains 18 members — 15 of whom participated in this weekend’s event. Each member could contribute up to 10 framed art pieces for inclusion in the show, along with unframed pieces that could be viewed in a stack by attendees.

Proceeds from this show were excellent, according to Horst, although the members’ reason for creating the artwork was not profit-driven.

“Most of us do this because we love it!” Parker said. “I look at my art opportunities as paid volunteering.”

For more information about the guild, email monicawilkins50@gmail.com.