Daughter of the Stars opened at the Melissa Ichiuji Studio Gallery in Front Royal, VA, on October 18. 72 artists and several times that number of artworks lined the walls and floor of the spacious gallery, filled to capacity with an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd of art lovers. Art on view encompassed painting, drawing, sculpture, mosaic, and jewelry. Music was provided on Cloud Street by Kate McLeod and her band. A fine time was had by all.
The show is part of a larger Washington area show, Women Artists of the DMV, that encompasses galleries in DC, Bethesda, McLean, Arlington, and Alexandria, showcasing many fine woman artists.
Numerous additional activities are planned for the duration of the Front Royal show: Seven Sunday afternoons will each feature 10 artists discussing their work with an interested audience of gallery-goers. Additionally, eight films about exceptional woman artists, living and deceased, are being viewed on Wednesday evenings at the Royal Theatre. Following the screening, filmgoers will repair to an adjacent wine bar to sip wine and nosh while unpacking the significance of what they have seen.
To the left, is a photo-collage of three of my mosaics included in the show: “Moonlight”, “Atlantis”, and “Polar.” I feel honored to have this work hanging next to that of so many accomplished artists. Thank you, Melissa!
Kudos to Melissa and Doug Ichiuji, as well as to Sally Price, Melissa’s assistant, for mounting such an extravaganza of a show. It was no small feat to hang so many, and such varied, pieces of art. Additionally, by founding her non-profit organization, Front Royal Project for the Arts, Melissa has helped to create a warm community of artists in the Shenandoah Valley, as well as putting Front Royal in the forefront of small Virginia towns supporting the Visual Arts. Excelsior!