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| "Cloud 9 Band Performs at Ward Center" ©Mary Montague Sikes |
Old Towne Petersburg is booming. Just up Sycamore Street from where new episodes of "Mercy Street" were recently filmed stands the Ward Center for Contemporary Art. The renovated spaces there are impressive. As a resident artist in Petersburg Regional Art Center for the entire ten years of its existence, I am in awe of its transformation into the Ward Center.
For the July Friday Night for the Arts open house, Cloud 9 Jazz Band was playing beneath the same staircase (beautifully refurbished but no longer functional) where another music group performed in December 2012. The refinished original wooden floorboards sparkled beneath glorious new lights that show off the unique paintings to perfection.The floors fascinate me. Their beauty makes the transformation complete.
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| "PRAC 2012 Christmas Gala Music" ©Mary Montague Sikes |
At the far end of the Grand Gallery, Pegalicious was serving some of the most delicious treats I've ever encountered at an art event. These included appetizer pastries filled with cranberry/almond chicken salad and pimento cheese. Cupcakes with luscious caramel/pecan icing highlighted their dessert table. I was surprised that a line had not formed outside on the sidewalk to enter this special event. That will surely happen in the future as word spreads about the exceptional open house events at the Ward Center.
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| "Pigalicious serves treats at The Ward Center First Friday open house" ©MMSikes |
Two of my large seascape paintings decorate the spacious windows that front North Sycamore Street on the left. The windows, along with the historic Butterworth's sign were retained during the six million dollar renovation project completed last summer.
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| "Earth Rising" and "Sea Surf" Acrylic Paintings ©Mary Montague Sikes |
The Ward Center for Contemporary Art has an open house every second Friday. The next open house will be Friday, August 12. The gallery and most of the artist studios are open anytime by appointment. Contact Noelle Ward, 804.252.9233.
3 comments:
That's cool two of your paintings welcome visitors.
Sounds like they went all out for the event.
It's beautiful. As are your paintings. Isn't this the place that's been closed for the past couple years while they did the work?
Thanks, Alex. The Ward Center does this every month.
Yes, Diane. They closed and created a beautiful space. Thank you for the compliment!
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