2026-2027 Meetings & Programs
|
Program Summary
Scroll down for program details
|
|
LOCATION: Meetings are usually held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 903 Forest Avenue, Henrico, VA 23229, beginning at 11:00 AM and going to about 1:00 PM, unless otherwise specified. |
|
Friday, Sept. 18
|
David Bryant: Understanding Paint & the Palette
David Bryant, a professor at Radford University, will discuss understanding paint and how to use it to inform your painting and color purchases. He stresses that a basic understanding of paint can help create color harmony and ease your choices when painting. From David: "How well do we really know our palette and materials? We use umbers, ochres, oxides and alizarins, but what are they and why are colors labeled this way? What is quality paint vs. cheap paint? Once we purchase the paint, how well do we know what we are using?" David Bryant is originally from Roanoke and studied at VCU. He features themes of the Appalachia area and the resilience of the human spirit. He has a vast knowledge of history of paints and their creations, and often makes his own pigments using minerals from the forest like the old masters. Learn more about him at roanokereverbstudio.com.
|
|
Friday, Oct. 16
Please note special time and location Time: 10 am -5 pm; come anytime Location: Merrifield on the James (directions are on our For Members Only page under Program Information.) |
Members' Paint Out on the James River
Members will meet for a fall plein air paint-out and photo opportunity at Merrifield on the James River. Come anytime starting at 10 a.m., and bring your plein air art gear and/or camera to draw or paint, take photos for your studio work, or you can just relax and enjoy the view at this beautiful location. JRAL will provide water and snacks, but bring your own lunch and seating. Kim Hall will talk about plain-air painting at 10:30, and then will stay for a couple of hours to offer advice to anyone who is painting. 
Kim Hall, from the Richmond area, is described as a "contemporary impressionist." Her work is a joyful reaction to everyday scenes that most would drive by, but compel her to stop and set up her easel. She is represented by several galleries including the Cabell Gallery in Lexington, Arts on Main in Gloucester, and also in Crossroads Gallery right here in Richmond. For our paint out, she will provide a short demo and share her set-up as well as colors and materials she uses. She'll then allow time to help our members get us started painting on our own… but with her guidance. Learn more about her at www.kimhallstudio.com.
|
|
Friday, Nov. 20
|
Virginia McConnell: Fine Art Quilts
Virginia McConnell, a Richmond based quilt artist, will speak on the process of creating fine art quilts in fabric, including inspirations and themes, composition, making a line drawing, defining a value study, and determining a palette of colors.
|
|
Friday, Dec. 4
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Location: Bristlecone Clubhouse, 14330 Tanager Wood Trail, Midlothian |
Holiday Luncheon
Members will gather for a festive holiday lunch at Bristlecone Clubhouse for an Italian feast catered by Angelos Italian Ristorante (see menu at right). The cost per person is $25. Register to attend at the link below, or signup at the Oct. 16 plein air day or the Nov. 20 member meeting. Our attendee limit is set at 60 people. We would like to welcome guests once all members who would like to sign up have done so. The deadline to signup and make your payment is November 23rd at 5 pm. After that date we cannot make refunds for inclement weather or cancellations. There will be no snow date. This year, back by popular demand, we will again have a small card (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") painting exchange. Small cards (watercolor paper, bristol and canvas boards) will be available at our November 20th meeting for you to take, or you can make your own. "Our Holiday time together is really a lot of FUN! - Gigi Vranian, Hospitality Chair |
|
Friday, Jan. 15
|
Anne Kenny-Urban: Stranger than Fiction - The Great Art Heists
Anne Kenny-Urban, Executive Director of Agecroft Hall and Gardens, will discuss great art thefts throughout the ages. "Discover what Japanese gangsters, bear spray, and daring boat getaways have to do with noteworthy art thefts. In this lecture, you will travel the globe learning why museums from Amsterdam to Zimbabwe have been targets for thieves and what tools they used to elude detection. Find out who got caught. . . and who did not." - VMFA. This topic ties in well with a 2023 Art Reads book club selection, "The Art Thief". Anne earned her BA at Princeton University, her MA in art history at the University of Chicago, and her MBA at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. Prior to her move to Agecroft, she worked for VMFA for nearly a decade. |
|
Friday, Feb. 19
|
Field Trip to the VMFA
Details about our field trip to the VMFA to view one of their collections will be coming later, with more information about how to sign up to attend and cost (if any). |
|
Friday, Mar. 19
|
Robert L. Caldwell: Understanding Perspective
Well-known local artist and teacher Robert Caldwell will give us a lesson in one and two point perspective drawing and how to use perspective in composition. Bring your sketchbook and a pen/pencil for an opportunity to participate in a perspective drawing exercise. Robert's art features a realistic approach to wildlife and architectural elements. He has a B.F.A. from VCU, is a Signature Member of the Society of Animal Artists, and was named an Associate Living Master in the Art Renewal Center. Robert’s passion for art and nature can be seen in his highly detailed, realistic paintings and drawings. Learn more about him at www.rlcaldwell.com.
|
|
Friday, April 16
|
Members Annual Art Challenge: "Something Sweet"
The theme for this year's members' art challenge is "Something Sweet". More details about the theme for this year's challenge and our guest artist critiquer will be announced soon, but members can start thinking about what/how they want to tackle this fun subject. Click here for more information. |
|
Friday, May 21
|
JRAL Annual Meeting; Program TBA
Details are coming soon about our speaker/program for our May meeting. We will also wrap up our fiscal year with our Annual Meeting. |
|
Ongoing Focus Group
|
|