The Gloucester Arts Festival is bringing the arts to Gloucester the entire month of June. Here are more exciting events happening through the month…mark your calendars…there is something for everyone!
Gallery Talk at Arts on Main
Wednesday June 10th ~ 7pm
Please join us at Arts on Main for a gallery talk by plein air painter, Steve Doherty. Doherty was born in New Orleans, raised in Cincinnati, and educated in Illinois and New York. He graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Knox College and earned a Master of Fine Art degree in printmaking from Cornell University. After teaching art in public schools, a community college, and a private college, Steve became editor of American Artist magazine. During his 31 year tenure, he launched several new art magazines, managed artist conventions, and exhibited his own artwork. In 2010 he became editor of PleinAir magazine and successfully managed that publication until his retirement in 2018. During these years, Steve also wrote a dozen books, including the new book The Art of Plein Air Painting. For more information and a review of Steve’s paintings, visit www.stevedohertyart.com. Free and open to the public.
Arts at Abingdon Bluegrass Concert
Thursday June 11th ~ 7pm
Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, a bluegrass concert held at Abingdon Church as part of their Arts at Abingdon music series, will be held on Thursday, June 11th at 7pm. The event is free and open to the public.
Jones, from Reno, Nevada, is a quadruple threat as a singer, a songwriter, a guitarist, and, thanks to his role hosting SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction, as one of the most widely heard broadcasting voices in bluegrass music. His immediately recognizable voice, warm sense of humor, and abundance of talent have combined to make him one of the genre’s most distinctive personalities, and one of its strongest artists.
Presented in partnership with Gloucester Arts Festival, The Cook Foundation and Arts at Abingdon.
Location: Abingdon Church, 4645 George Washington Memorial Highway, Gloucester, VA 23183. Phone: 804.693.3053. Free and open to the public.
Artistic Director: Alisa Bohon
Storyteller at Arts on Main
Sunday, June 14th ~ 3pm
Donna Will, a public-school library media specialist for 30 years, became intrigued with storytelling in 1976 after hearing her first tellers. Gradually over the years she added telling to the repertoire of stories she shared with her students, who seemed fascinated by the fact that she “did not have to look at the words.” Upon retirement from education in 2006, (from Bethel Elementary, actually, right here in Gloucester), she began sharing her tales with older teens and adults, specializing in legends and the ancient folk and fairy tales. Donna is a founding member and past president of VASA: the Virginia Storytelling Alliance, which represents tellers and listeners around the state. For more information on Donna, click here.
Location: Arts on Main, 6580B Main Street, Gloucester, VA 23061. Phone: 804.824.9464. Free and open to the public
Portraiture Painting Demonstration
Thursday, June 18th ~ 7pm -9:15pm
Abigail McBride 
Kuniko
A painter with the heart of a poet, Abigail McBride paints a particular moment in time – of a person or an outdoor scene. Having won awards for both her portraits and her plein air paintings, McBride enjoys teaching collegiate studio portraiture courses and has a reputation as a dynamic teacher. She teaches at the prestigious Chesapeake Fine Art Studio, Anne Arundel Community College and selected workshops.
For this painting demonstration, McBride will use someone from the Gloucester community as her live model while conversing with attendees about her technique and painting style.
Location: Arts on Main, 6580B Main Street, Gloucester, VA 23061. Phone: 804.824.9464. Free and open to the public, light snacks and drinks provided.
Portrait Workshop with Abigail McBride
Friday & Saturday, June 20th- 21st ~ 10am-4pm
Abigail McBride will teach her unique approach to the portrait. This workshop is designed to help you not only paint and draw what you see but also to have a deeper understanding of your subject. Work in Oil or Charcoal. Class size is limited to ten to promote plenty of one-on-one attention.
Location: Brent & Becky’s Bulbs, Chesapeake Lounge. 7900 Daffodil Ln, Gloucester, VA 23061. $295 per person, participants need to provide their own supplies (and easel if possible).
