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Cat’s Jump Drawing and Painting Group on exhibit

By Staff | Apr 29, 2016

Jefferson Arts Council (JAC) is excited to announce an exhibit of the Cat’s Jump Drawing and Painting Group at Charles Town’s Fire Hall Gallery, May 1-31, 2016. There will be an opening reception on May 6, from 7 to 9 pm, including live chamber music and catering by Real Good Food, as well as a chance to meet many of the artists.

The group originated at CraftWorks at Coolspring in 2012 as a monthly mixed media group with Rebecca Grace Jones as the teacher, or as she prefers to call herself, the “coach.” When CraftWorks closed its doors at the beginning of this year, Jones offered her students the option of meeting at her studio in Shepherdstown, on her small farm called “Cat’s Jump”. The move expanded the group and now there are 14 regular members who meet on the first Sunday of every month and enjoy a supportive and creative fellowship in beautiful, inspiring surroundings.

Each person works in a distinct and mature style in their preferred medium. There are watercolorists, pastel and acrylic painters, and people working in markers, colored pencil and ink. Jones makes her rounds as the group works, offering tips, demonstrating techniques and presenting suggestions for each artist to consider.

Carol Daly, who joined the group last year, says, “Rebecca has a way of offering possibilities to the artist not seen before. She opens our eyes to help us to see in a very calm way. This brings out the best in her pupils.”

The group gathers at the end of each Sunday session to share everyone’s accomplishments for that afternoon; getting and giving constructive feedback. The discussion is helpful and encouraging. The cohesion of this group is palpable and everyone both experiences and witnesses growth as the months progress.

This exhibit show the results of the diverse group’s study and hard work over the past year. This is their second exhibit, and Jones intends to present the opportunity for her students to show their works annually as an incentive to stay motivated and always reaching for their highest potential.

The Fire Hall Gallery is located in downtown Charles Town, inside the Visitor’s Center at 108 N. George St. The Gallery is shared with the Washington Street Artists’ Cooperative, and open seven days a week, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.