“Whimseys” and “Vycinanka. Universal Declaration of Human Rights” Opening Reception

Join Arts Council of the Valley for TWO new exhibitions at Smith House Galleries on August 2, with a reception 5-7pm during First Fridays of the Valley! “Whimseys,” by Judith Anderson, features collage and oil/cold wax paintings. “Vycinanka. Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” by Volha Palunisa, includes collage, mixed media, and vycinanka – Belarusian traditional paper cut. The opening reception, sponsored by Donald Albright, features a chance to meet both artists, enjoy light refreshments, and hear live music from Jane Cox!

Both exhibitions run through Aug 30, with in-person visits Monday-Friday, 11am to 4pm and on Second Saturday Aug 10, 10am to 2pm. On Second Saturday, enjoy a live vycinanka demonstration and workshop by exhibiting artist Volha Palunisa from noon to 1:30pm! The exhibition will also be available online (valleyarts.org/current-exhibition).

Though Judith Anderson has been a high school English teacher, a television journalist, and an attorney, her first love has always been art. After retiring from law practice in 2001, Anderson began to devote more time to painting, taking courses at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Visual Arts Center in Richmond and participating in Nimrod Hall Art Camp in Bath County, Virginia. Anderson was an active member of Artspace, serving as president for two years, and maintains a wall at Crossroads Art Center in Richmond. Anderson’s oil paintings have variously been generated en plein air, inspired by trains, and influenced by vintage photos. Most recently, Anderson has enjoyed experimenting with imaginative composite images, abstract paintings she affectionately calls Whimseys.

Born in Maladechna, Belarus, Volha Palunisa graduated from Restoration and Art School in Mir and Yanka Kupala University in Hrodna, where she specialized in teaching fine arts, drawing, and national and world culture. In 1997, she joined the Belarusian Union of Masters of Folk Art. During this time, she was a republican scholar in the field of culture and art, and received the honorary title of People’s Master. Palunisa authored the practical manual “My vycinanka,” printed postcards and calendars, metaphoric cards, and artistic sketches of vycinanka for various fields – from graffiti to embroidery on clothing. She has participated in national and international exhibitions, competitions, seminars, and symposiums, and is the founder of the first museum of vycinanka in Belarus. Since 2020, she has been a member of the Guild of American Papercutters.