New Williamsburg art exhibits celebrate spring, showcase local artists

Two art shows featuring local artists are opening in the next week, beginning with the Williamsburg Winery’s latest installation in a rotating exhibit.

The winery’s newest collection, “Spring Reflections,” debuts Friday as part of the Art at Wessex Hundred exhibit, which first opened last April.

The collection is “focused on both the new beginnings this season ushers in as well as a look back on the successes of the past year,” the winery said in a news release.

The new art will be on display from Friday through June 11 and will feature more than 30 artists. All of the art featured is for sale.

To celebrate the exhibit’s new collection, the winery is hosting a reception in its Susan Constant Hall Tasting Room on April 13 from 6-8 p.m. The reception, which several artists will attend, will feature music from the Tony Mata Jazz Duo as well as a cash wine bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

Since its debut, the exhibit has cycled through a number of rounds of art. Two additional rotations are scheduled for later this year, opening in June and then in September. Each rotation has its own theme and features work from local artists. Since opening a year ago, more than 80 pieces have been sold.

The exhibit is organized and managed by a three-person volunteer group, including Cary Garnet and Mary and Jim McCormick, who call themselves the Art People.

Last year, Mary McCormick said that putting the collections together has been a labor of love.

“There’s a lot of labor, but there’s even more love,” she said. “It’s been rewarding, and the artists have just been phenomenal.”

Meanwhile, the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center’s “Artisan Extravaganza” show opens April 5 and runs through May 19.

The exhibit features works conceived and created by the individuals, with no use of commercial models or kits. Exhibitors include WCAC members and regional nonmembers.

“This is a very popular offering at WCAC because the show is primarily three-dimensional works such as jewelry, textile art, sculpture, and ceramics,” program chair Apryl Altman said in a news release. “Some of the works are functional, some can be worn, and some are strictly decorative, but everything included is considered art.”

Also on tap at WCAC is “All About Color,” a members’ exhibit, and new works in the Artisan Corner. For more information, visit www.visitwcac.org or call 757-236-3676.

John Shulson contributed to this story.

Sian Wilkerson, sian.wilkerson@pilotonline.com, 757-342-6616