What a fall it was at the Peter Bullough Foundation!
We kicked off the season on August 22 by partnering with the Winchester SPCA and one of our summer artists-in-residence, Shelby Hubbard, for a “Pawcasso” workshop where participants created their own masterpieces by using paper previously decorated by adoptable shelter pets at the SPCA! These stunning creations were then framed and auctioned off at the SPCA’s Chairity Brunch event to benefit their programs.
We’re thrilled that the fall events hosted by our visiting residents have been sponsored for the season by First Bank and the Marion Park Lewis Foundation for the Arts. Their support allows the PBF to keep ticket prices low by paying for supplies and for
In late August, we welcomed poet Hannah Oberman-Breindel and multi-discilpinary visual artist Sarah Thompson as our first residents of the season. On September 7, Oberman-Breindel led an incredible poetry workshop at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV) called Poetry… 1 2 3 in conjunction with the MSV’s exhibit 1 2 3 - I love you. Participants had the opportunity to listen to poetry, create their own, and if they so desired, share with the rest of the class. Shortly after on September 12, Thompson led an evening pinhole camera workshop where attendees brought their own tins and shoeboxes to create pinhole cameras. The PBF learned the importance of a “drilling stump” - see photo evidence below - and much about the joys and perfect imperfections of pinhole camera photography.
From left to right, top to bottom: finished products from the Pawcasso workshop, artist Shelby Hubbard providing instruction to the class, participants in the Pawcasso workshop working on their masterpieces, artist Sarah Thompson assisting a workshop participant, pinhole camera workshop participants, and pinhole camera workshop participants and their shoeboxes
September introduced to us the incredible trio of Ilyn Wong, Mary Welcome, and Pangea Kali Virga. Hailing from different parts of the globe and all with very different practices, this dynamic group bonded together and taught us quite a few new things about our residency and our community. On September 27, Mary shared a lecture called “Future in the Fields” with local Shenandoah University students in Courtney Reilly’s class. Mary shared her work in Wales, in Palouse, and with Washington State’s Department of Transportation. The incredible power of art - and Mary! - to solve problems and see the world differently is something that stays with you for a long time. On October 11, our three artists, headed by Ilyn, hosted a fall open studio - the first of its kind! - and we welcomed nearly 70 folks from the area to visit the studios, the artists, the gardens, and enjoy some light refreshments. Finally, Pangea hosted a wonderful tie dye workshop with kids and staff families at the Evans Home for Children. The kids were able to bring shirts and tshirts to tie dye with expert direction from Pangea. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to partner with them and their director Amy Rice!
In October, we were also thrilled to host a Poetry Reading & Conversation with Sean Murphy, a longtime PBF collaborator through 1455 Literary Arts, the organization of which he is executive director. Sean’s moving work on jazz greats met its perfect setting in our garden on a crisp fall evening. We were also pleased to host Literacy Volunteers of the Winchester Area’s reception for the Campaign for Grade Level Reading - a truly worthy cause! Dolly Parton - in cut-out form - also attended, as she does most LVWA events.
From left to right, top to bottom: artist Mary Welcome ready for her lecture, food at the fall open studio, LaMishia Allen at the tie dye workshop, family of Evans Home staff at the tie dye workshop, Pangea Kali Virga leading the tie dye workshop, and Sean Murphy speaking to attendees at his poetry reading
Later in October, we greeted a round of artists that are all recent RISD graduates: Jinghong Chen, Henry Roundtrip Marton Newman, and Itzhak Fant. Each of these three taught incredible workshops, kicked off on October 26 with Henry teaching a Halloween mask making class. We were thrilled with the unique results! On October 31, Itzhak taught a monoprint workshop to Shenandoah University students. While one of our most messy workshops to date - oil-based ink takes days to dry! - it was also one of the most fun. Finally, on November 2, Jinghong shared how to build tunnel books, leading attendees in a step-by-step process of creation. We had a blast trying to figure out how best to make a tunnel book of 120 W Cork. We were sad to see these three depart!
For our last session of the season, we welcomed writer Kasia Merrill and due to some last minute changes, were thrilled to welcome back poet Sonya Lara and artist Robin Ha to the studio! Kasia taught a wonderful workshop that was part meditation, part writing exercise, entitled Breathing Life into Your Writing. Participants had the opportunity to breathe and reflect, finding creativity and inspiration in Kasia’s prompts.
We are so grateful to have worked with such wonderful artists this season, to have been introduced to more of our community through our workshops, and to have had sponsorship from patrons in our community! We look forward to what the next season holds!
From left to right, top to bottom: Mandy Vecero and Addie Lingle show off their masks, participants and instructor Henry Newman at the mask making workshop pose with their masks, Itzhak Fant speaks to a group of students, Itzhak shares directions for monoprinting, students at the monoprinting workshop, the PBF salon set up for tunnel book making, participants at the tunnel book workshop, Jinghong and one of her tunnel book creations, and Kasia Merrill and attendees at her workshop