C'ville Arts, a Gallery for Crafts & Art on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall

C’ville Arts Features – “A Clothesline of Characters” – During December

Mary Whittlesey owner of Mountaintop Needlecrafts shares her imaginative, handknit line of puppets, mittens and hats for children, toddlers and infants in December. She will be at the gallery during the Historic Downtown Mall’s First Friday celebration on December 6th, from 6 – 8 p.m. to share her endearing warm collection.

Mary started knitting at the age of 7 and as a third-generation knitter, her talent is a joy to see. Using high quality materials like washable wool, acrylics, and occasionally mohair or alpaca to bring her darlings to life, each design touches your heart with softness you will remember. Knitting puppets with her unique designs inspired by creatures from the natural woodlands in Vermont where Mary used to live. She makes fun loving frogs and adorable ducks to fancy foxes or huggable brown bears, Mary knits amazing animals and so much more.

Whittlesey creates playful, mitten style puppets for toddlers and infants with hats to match! If your family is heading out to gameday she has that covered too, making sets with color combinations that support your favorite teams. Her hat designs go beyond gameday colors to include delightful strawberry, pumpkin, watermelon, and even bumble bee patterns. If you’re looking for a high quality, handmade gift for that special little love, search no more, Mary has the art to capture your heart this gift giving season.

For more information about Mary’s work contact her via email marywhittlesey@gmail.com

Refreshments will be provided by Mezeh Mediterranean Grill in Stonefield.

For general information, contact Amy Melville at 434-972-9500. The gallery’s web site is www.cvillearts.org. The C’ville Arts Cooperative Gallery, located on the historic Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, is open on Monday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m.

ABOUT C’VILLE ARTS – C’ville Arts, a cooperative membership gallery of more than sixty local artists and crafters, was established in 1997. Original works include photography, painting, glass, fiber, clay and pottery, quilling, metals, mosaics, jewelry, leather, chocolates and wood.

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C’ville Arts Features – “Octabusy” Book Signing – On December 14th

Susan Jane McCulley, an inspirational artist, writer, and talented member of C’ville Arts will make an exclusive appearance at the gallery to sign and demonstrate the artful process of making her new book Octabusy on Saturday, December 14^th from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Susan Jane McCulley’s latest book, Octabusy: How To Let Go in a Sea of Doing, is for anyone who’s ever felt their lives were run by a To Do list. In this playful fable, Octabusy lives in The Sea of Doing and is positively sure that love goes to the one who does the most…and she does the most. She is also stressed. And tired. After an unexpected visit to The Sea of Being, she learns that there is another way. Each page is a hand-made, mixed media collage that reminds readers of all ages to practice being in their doing. And sometimes, to have the mindful discipline to do nothing.

Susan Jane McCulley is an artist, author, illustrator, and teacher. Her mixed media art invites delight and insight, and inspires creative connection. Her simple, playful illustrations invite mindfulness, curiosity, and appreciation for everyday wonders. Her first book, Buddha Cat: Learning Awareness, Presence & Self-Care from a Teacher Who Sometimes Barfs on the Bed, is a humorous reminder of priorities and perspective. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with her husband, Frank, and her Buddha Cat, Phoenix.

To learn more about Susan and her work visit her web site susanmcculley.com

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C’ville Arts Features – “A Clothesline of Characters” – During December

Charlottesville, VA, November 20th, 2019

For more information about Mary’s work contact her via email maywhittlesey@gmail.com

Refreshments will be provided by Mezeh Mediterranean Grill in Stonefield.

ABOUT C’VILLE ARTS – C’ville Arts, a cooperative membership gallery of more than sixty local artists and crafters, was established in 1997. Original works include photography, painting, glass, fiber, clay and pottery, quilling, metals, mosaics, jewelry, leather, chocolates and wood.

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C’ville Arts Features – “The Art of the Circle” – During November

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Gillian Ruffa, a gifted jeweler and textile artist, explores inspiring and symbolic representations of the circle. She will be at the gallery during the Historic Downtown Mall’s First Friday celebration on November 1st, from 6 – 8 p.m. to share her delightful new collection.

The shape of a circle has been used as a symbol since the beginning of time. You find circles everywhere in life, in science, nature, math, in languages, and in art through the ages. It can universally represent a range of things from Mother Earth to the sun or moon. As a jeweler and small business owner, suitably named “Striking Metal”, Gillian incorporates the circle in her designs naturally. Developing circular impressions on copper and silver are characteristic of her work. Introducing intimate spherical sparkles of a gem or hammered disc suspended in the center of her designs catch light with the slightest movement. Her fashionable pieces have a delicate voice and beckon one to come, look a little closer.

Gillian also creates elegant and colorful scarves. Her fabric selections are high quality, soft, silky smooth materials that wrap a circle of style and comfort around you with a graceful accent. Each scarf is hand dipped in unique dyes using a process that will ensure long lasting, timeless quality.

The gift giving season is upon us. Whether you’re hoping to find a perfect gift for a friend, loved one or yourself, “The Art of the Circle” is a collection including bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings, and scarves. With a fresh sense of style, you’ll find Gillian’s circles in art hard to resist.

Contact Gillian directly for more information about her work via email gillsies@ymail.com

Refreshments will be provided by Mezeh Mediterranean Grill in Stonefield.

C’ville Arts Features – “Pattern and Color Play: A Journey with Polymer Clay, Stone and Wood” – During October

Wood turner, Floyd E. Johnson (known as Pete) and polymer clay artisan, Judith N. Ligon have teamed up together to create some beautiful, delightful and fun collaborative works as well as created in their individual self-expression in a joint show as featured artists at C’ville Arts Cooperative Gallery for the month of October. You can meet them at C’ville Arts Cooperative Gallery during the Historic Downtown Mall’s First Friday event on October 4, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Geometric turned shapes, like circles in squares or triangles, are often what one will see in Pete’s work although it is the unique grain or pattern of the wood which often dictates what the finished product will be. At times, Pete’s style is influenced by classical antiquities like that which he saw during his travels in Europe years ago. He often prefers to turn Bradford Pear for its workability and Maple or Cherry for their appearance and ease of finishing. Judith is known for her use of color and pattern or design in her polymer clay cane work botanical creations and with Fall being her favorite time of year with all the colorful leaves, it has been an interesting, exciting and fun journey to combine her vision with Pete’s knowledge and expertise of wood and woodturning. So be prepared for color, color play, leaves, pods, interesting wood, sticks and stones, etc. Nature has some rather neat stuff to create with.

Refreshments will be provided by Mezeh Mediterranean Grill in Stonefield.

C’ville Arts Features – “Carnival Cats” – During September

Charlottesville, VA, August 23rd, 2019

Lisa O. Woods, painter and wood carving member of C’ville Arts, explores the inspiring, fun and lively relationships with her feline family. She will be at the gallery during the Historic Downtown Mall’s First Friday celebration on September 6th, from 6 – 8 p.m. to share her festive new collection.

Celebration in the imaginary world of carnival cats is a joy and inspiration for this artist. The carnival is place where we gather to enjoy vibrant colors, liveliness, and laughter hoping to forget about the troubles of routine life for a little while. In this collection, Lisa introduces playful characters and patterns that dance with brilliant colors reminiscent of the festivals we enjoy.

Known for her cat carvings and tempera batik paintings, Lisa brings a sense of joy in this fresh body of work. She has challenged her own boundaries by introducing a menagerie of characters including works like “The Moustache Gang” or “Tightrope Walker” and “Carnival Queen”, all of these and many more will spark a nostalgic charm of their own. Enjoy the imagination of this artist, she is sure to lift your spirits with this feline fiesta.

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To learn more about Lisa and her work visit her web site www.punkspeak.com

Refreshments will be provided by Mezeh Mediterranean Grill in Stonefield.

C’ville Arts Features – “Brilliant Botanicals” – During August

Jennifer Paxton, a ceramic jewelry artist, translates the glorious world beneath our feet and above our outstretched hands into colorful wearable art. She will be at C’ville Arts Cooperative Gallery during the Historic Downtown Mall’s First Friday celebration on August 2nd, from 6-8 pm.

A colorist at heart, Jennifer leans toward graphic representation and uses strong contrast in her compositions. Her handmade, high-quality earthenware jewelry is crafted with a multitude of textures including pressed plants and then finished with a wide spectrum of vibrant glazes. This month’s collection will have you falling in love with nature’s abundant beauty. Her jewelry is bold, exciting, and fun, and when you’re wearing it—you’ll feel that way too!

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To learn more about Jennifer and her work visit her Facebook listing:

https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Paxton-Ceramic-Jewelry-740484946048321

C’ville Arts Features – “Pots for Purpose” – During July

Charlottesville, VA, June 19, 2019

Trina Player, a gifted talent of C’ville Arts, explores the inspiring and functional aspects of pottery. She will be at the gallery during the Historic Downtown Mall’s First Friday celebration on July 5th, from 6 – 8 pm to share her useful new collection.

As the title implies, something that is functional is meant to be used. The handmade pottery by Trina Player goes beyond mere utilitarianism. She puts thought, time and care into making these useful objects with hopes that the users will somehow connect with them beyond their intended purpose. Her plates, platters, mugs, vessels, and bowls perform with wonderful glazes that make everyday objects works of art. Her designs are more than beautiful they are sturdy, high quality, forms with function in mind.

Objects have a tactile way of connecting us through time, ceremonious interactions with nostalgic objects perform the function of ritual in contemporary life. Whether you’re setting the table to share a meal with loved ones or having your morning cup of coffee, Trina’s pottery will enhance the rituals of your daily life.

“Going with the Flow” – New Work by Ann Stephenson throughout June 2019

Ann Stephenson, a gifted talent of C’ville Arts, explores the inspiring and dreamlike aspects of alcohol ink. She will be at the gallery during the Historic Downtown Mall’s First Friday celebration on June 7th, from 6 – 8 pm to share her impressive new collection.

Ann Stephenson has been creative as long as she can recall. Nature and wildlife captured Ann’s imagination very early in life creating works with birds, landscapes and abstract representations. Her use of bold, bright and vivid colors is characteristic throughout her work. She finds working with a vibrant, colorful palate makes her feel happy and alive. Using these lively colors with alcohol inks and their flowing unpredictable nature creates an organic sensibility she has not found in other mediums. Ann has developed impressive skills to maneuver the inks and create patterns inspired by the natural world.

Stephenson challenges herself to explore the endless possibilities with ink. In this show she will use her alcohol inks as a foundation for her playful collages, coasters, boxes, and plates. Portraying kittens at play, to geometric abstract designs, her technique creates a dreamlike quality in all her designs. Using her imaginative ink work Ann assembles high quality, custom made functional pieces sure to brighten any home.

To learn more about Ann and her work visit her on Facebook or email her astephenson2008@rocketmail.com

The Magic of Fusion – New Work by Mary Ellen Larkins, May 2019

Mary Ellen Larkins, a gifted talent of C’ville Arts, explores the inspiring and magical aspects of fused glass. She will be at the gallery during the Historic Downtown Mall’s First Friday celebration on May 3rd, from 6 – 8 pm to share her glowing new collection.

“Twenty-two years ago I fell in love with fused glass.” Mary Ellen recalls the early days, “gradually, I moved beyond the artful geometry into more lyrical representations — landscapes of my favorite places. This technique involves “painting” with tiny fragments of crushed glass as though it were a liquid medium. Numerous colored and patterned layers are created on thin sheets of glass, and sequentially fired in a 1400-degree kiln to form deep images. Sometimes enamels are used to create fine details or even entire vistas. My life would be poorer without glass. Its beauty transports me to a place of tranquility and allows me to forget, for a while at least, the troubles of the world.”

Larkins builds layers of rich color and splendor that reflect her decades of experience. Her designs take a solid understanding of fused glass techniques, avoiding fractures and many other negative outcomes. She has carefully developed a successful strategy that produces a radiant peacefulness that flows from one piece to another in her latest work.

To learn more about Mary Ellen visit her web site www.maryellenlarkins.com

*Photographs taken by Gerry Bishop, living and working in Charlottesville.