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Each year, the Suffolk Art League donates art-related books to the Suffolk Public Library System. This year, there will be five new selections on the shelf. We hope these will serve to help educate and enhance the joy of exploring the arts. 

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond has some phenomenal exhibitions, and there is often an exhibit catalog to accompany these. One recent exhibit was “Osiris: Egypt’s Sunken Mysteries.” This exhibition catalog allows you to “Dive to the depths of Egyptian civilization and discover its ancient rituals. This book, which has more than 200 illustrations — includes many images of the underwater excavations of the European Institute of Underwater Archaeology — takes you there and lets you follow the religious celebrations dedicated to the deceased and resurrected god Osiris.”

Another VMFA exhibition is “Virginia Arcadia: The Natural Bridge in American Art.” “Described as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Virginia’s Natural Bridge attracts thousands of visitors each year”, says Alex Nyerges, director and CEO of the VMFA. “In presenting Virginia Arcadia, we proudly highlight this wonder of our Commonwealth and its influence on the art and literature of the nineteenth century.”

Several of the books are surveys of artists and genres. These are wonderful resources for doing research or to explore artists that may not be as familiar or delve into influences on art and artists.

“50 American Artists You Should Know,” by Debra Mancoff, is very accessible and informative. “This book is a gorgeous introduction to great American artists. While the history of American art is as varied as the 50 states the country is comprised of, it tells a story of a uniquely American aesthetic: bold, innovative and uncompromising. With its colorfully illustrated spreads and contextual approach, this is a superb guide for anyone interested in learning about American art.”

“Black Art: A Cultural History,” by Richard J. Powell. “The African diaspora — a direct result of the transatlantic slave trade and Western colonialism — generated a wide array of artistic achievements in the past century, from blues to reggae, from the painting of Henry Ossawa Tanner to the video installations of Keith Piper. Richard Powell’s study concentrates on the works of art themselves and on how these works, created during a time of social upheaval and transformation, used black culture as both subject and context.”

“Women in Art: 50 Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World,” by Rachel Ignotofsky provides “illustrated profiles of 50 pioneering female artists — from the 11th century to today.” A charmingly illustrated and inspired book, it highlights the achievements and stories of 50 notable women in the arts, from well-known figures like painters Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keefe, to lesser-known names like 19th century African American quilter Harriet Powers and Hopi-Tewa ceramic artist Nampeyo. Covering a wide array of artistic mediums, this fascinating collection also contains infographics about artistic movements throughout history, statistics about women’s representation in museums, and notable works by women. Women in Art celebrates the success of the bold female creators who inspired the world and paved the way for the next generation of artists.”

“The Suffolk Art League is committed to providing education in the arts to the citizens of Suffolk,” the press release stated. “By donating these books to the Suffolk Public Library System, we hope to increase the knowledge and the enjoyment of the arts.”

For more information about Suffolk Art League, visit www.suffolkartleague.com or email suffolkartleague@verizon.net or call 757-925-0448.