WHAT’S HAPPENING IN JULY WITH FALL ART TOUR VENUES AND ARTISTS!
Come out for the arts and enjoy summertime and all that Rappahannock has to offer!
This month we have a new exhibition and several continuing exhibitions in local galleries. Of course, all of our galleries are open and filled with amazing work from local and national artists. Why not come out to Rappahannock for a beautiful weekend in July for a gallery tour and indulge in our local restaurants, wineries, breweries, farm stands brimming with local produce, and more!
There are so many options to indulge yourself in Rapaphannock! Incredible art and local shops, of course, but did you know we have many spas offering all kinds of wonderful services, too? Plus hiking in the Shenandoah National Park, wineries and micro-breweries, amazing restaurants, and overnight accomodations provide all the makings of a wonderful get-away from the city!
Here’s what’s happening this month:
Click all images to open them in lightbox.
SPERRYVILLE ARTIST COOPERATIVE & GALLERY
Benjamin Mason
July 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025
Sperryville River District
3 River Lane
Sperryville, VA 22740
(540) 227-6509
Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm
Ben Mason is an accomplished musician and artist. His mixed media constructions and paintings are influenced by the philosophy of Aboriginal and Tribal art and contain artifacts, found objects, and pieces from nature that present a deeper calling.
Meet the artist at the gallery on the second Saturday of each month, from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.
CONTINUING EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS
GAY STREET GALLERY
Cathy Suiter and Maureen Storey
May 24 – August 6, 2025
Opening Reception: May 24, 2025, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
337 Gay Street
Washington, VA 22747
(540) 227-5100
Hours: Friday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm or by appointment (540) 316-8898
Gay Street Gallery is also happy to help you by phone (540) 227-5100 or email office@gaystreetgallery.com.
Featuring new work from Cathy Suiter, who lives in Warrenton, VA, and glass artist Maureen Storey. In addition, the gallery will be showing new items from the Owners’ Collection and continues to show works from the archives of Kevin H. Adams.
Top Image: Cathy Suiter
Bottom Image: Maureen Storey
MIDDLE STREET GALLERY
Nedra Smith
“Plein-Air Rappahannock”
June 20, 2025 – July 27, 2025
311 Gay Street, Lower Level,
facing Main Street & across from Ballard’s
Washington, VA 22747
(540) 227-5066
Hours: Friday – Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm
Nedra Smith says:
“I’m happiest outdoors with a brush in hand”
I grew up on my family’s farm in Nebraska which I tribute to my lifelong love of the outdoors. My early education was in a one room country school house where Fridays were dedicated to art, undoubtedly my favorite day of the week, and it instilled that the world of creativity was for me.
I was classically trained in art at George Washington University. At the time GW was one of the few schools teaching a classical approach: studying with live models, working in materials and techniques used by the old masters, this was the basis of GW’s curriculum.
After college I worked as a graphic artist and art director but my desire to paint full time never faded. I finally had an opportunity to go to Chengdu China and study figure painting with a friend and master painter, He Gong, who taught at Sichuan University. This was a turning point.
Back in the states I was introduced to plein-air painting while studying with Kevin McPherson. With my love of the outdoors and introduction to plein-air painting I had found the perfect match.
Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to study and travel with some of the top painters in the US; Scott Christensen, Daniel Gerhartz, Roger Dale Brown and Carolyn Anderson to name a few. I will always be a student as there is still so much to learn.
My husband and I make our home in Rappahannock Virginia where any direction you look is a painting possibility . . . how perfect is that?
This show at Middle Street Gallery features framed paintings ranging from 12″ x 10″ to 12″ x 16″.
All of our galleries are open and are full of amazing local art, crafts and gifts – be sure to visit Artful Friends and Sperryville ARTist Cooperative and Gallery at the Sperryville Marketplace, R.H. Ballard Gallery & Shop, Gay Street Gallery, Haley Fine Art, Middle Street Gallery, and Thornton River Art.