The James River Association
Where Art and The River Converge

November 22 - December 17, 2022

Elisabeth Flynn-Chapman Gallery

Information about the James River Association and the Clean Water Act, along with a selection of sketches and photos from our shared events and plein air paintings by students of Matt Lively from work done at the Pony Pasture, will be on view in Artspace’s .

Artspace and The James River Association collaborated on a series of projects over the past several months to promote our shared love of the James River and to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act.

Our collaborations included two Morning Sketching Cruises which left from Jordan Point Marina and Watercolors by the James which took place at the Pony Pasture nearby with a reception following here at Artspace.

This exhibition is a visual presentation of those events and the artwork that was created as a result.

About the James River Association

The mission of the James River Association is to be a guardian of the James River. We provide a voice for the river and take action to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of its natural resources.

JRA monitors the river, responds to problems, seeks policy changes, and implements on-the-ground projects to restore the river’s health. We protect through our Watershed Restoration, James Riverkeeper, and River Advocacy programs.

JRA helps communities benefit from the river by increasing river access, supporting river-related events, and implementing volunteer projects. We connect through our Environmental Education and Community Conservation programs.

thejamesriver.org

Morning Sketching Cruises
Saturday, August 20 and October 8
Jordan Point Marina

Artspace and The James River Association collaborated to celebrate "Watershed," the gallery's 2022 Members' Biennial exhibition and the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Participants joined the staff of JRA and Artspace for a brand new experience on JRA's educational pontoon boat, The Spirit of the James, and spent a couple hours sketching the James just down river of Richmond. Art Journaling is a journey of its own. We explored a section of the James River discovering the possibilities of mark making in time, place and so much more. Instruction was provided as they traveled to their destination with the opportunity to explore the scenic James. Regardless of drawing skills, the participants experienced something new, something old, and a connection to a special place. JRA welcomed Paul “Buddy” Terrell aboard the cruise, a local Richmond artist and Artspace Exhibition Committee Member, as the special guest instructor.

Watercolors by the James
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Pony Pasture Park

JRA Staff Scientist, Erin Reilly, and Restoration Director, Amber Ellis, provided an afternoon of watercolor painting by the river. Meeting at Pony Pasture Park, Erin and Amber talked about their experiences working on and for the James, and how art allows them to slow down and reconnect with the river. Participants learned and practiced simple watercolor techniques to capture their experiences by the James. This event was for all levels of experience. Immediately following the event, participants were welcomed at Artspace, where refreshments were provided.

Painting Outside with Matt Lively

Matt Lively continues the tradition started in the eighteenth century of painting “en plein air” - painting portraits of landscape outdoors. 

Several years ago, he established a plein air class which meets regularly to enjoy and depict the faces of the river. Painting Outside with Matt Lively is a revolving group of painters with the common interest to work out of the confines of the studio and into the world. Meeting weekly, the group goes to different locations with Pony Pasture being Matt’s personal favorite.

Well known throughout Virginia for his public art projects, Matt Lively’s work is displayed permanently at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Norfolk, and the Children’s Museum of Richmond, and is held in many private and public collections.

Featured Artists: Christianne Muller Allison, Sheila Chandler, Sallie Grant, Brian Hennessey, Cary Jamieson, Gail Henning Kiester, Katherine Kelly, Betsy McCray, Amy Mendelson, Shavon Peacock, Mary Lou Rickey, Irina Sery, Linda Shaw, Priscilla Simpson, Stacy Smith, Jennifer Smith Slabaugh.

Mattlively.com