NSA gears up for art show

Published 10:00 pm Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy is preparing to kick off its 24th annual Art Show and Sale with James Warwick Jones as the featured artist.

The opening ceremony will be held Jan. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a diverse selection of artwork on display in various mediums, with costs ranging from $25 to $7,000. The works of more than 170 artists will be on display during the sale.

“It’s the largest indoor art show of its kind here in Hampton Roads,” said Kenda Council, NSA’s director of development.

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Thirty five percent of the proceeds from the paintings go towards the academy’s Fine Arts and Endowment Program. Artists keep the remaining 65 percent.

Artists from Hampton Roads, Williamsburg, Richmond and beyond are selected by the committee in charge of the event to display their work. All the paintings are displayed in the hallways of the lower hall at NSA from Jan. 29 through Feb. 7 with different events for the public, sponsors, alumnus and alumnus’ parents, grandparents and the school’s children.

“It really creates a buzz in the hallways,” said Jennifer Blythe who is helping organize the event.

The buzz moves from the hallways into the community. More than $145,000 worth of artworks were purchased last year.

“The show here at NSA has a good reputation among artists,” Jones said. “Artists get excited about it. It’ll be one of my big shows for the year. I’m excited about it.”

As the featured artist, Jones will have approximately 30 paintings on display.

Jones has featured his work in more than 150 exhibitions and has won more than 125 awards. He has 38 years of teaching experience, 25 years in arts centers and museums, and manages the gallery at the Charles H. Taylor Arts Center in Hampton.