Showing posts with label Art at the Mill. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Post 441: Art at the Mill Art Reception Sun Apr 26, 2026

Art at the Mill Art Reception Sun Apr 26, 2026

Prince William Art Society (PWAS) members Sandra McClelland Lewin and I trekked out to 15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, Virginia on Sunday, April 26, 2026 to go to the art reception for the biannual Art at the Mill Art Show. This is one of my most favorite art shows that I have been to thus far in Virginia! We, along with a couple of other PWAS Members were delighted to be juried into this show.

The Spring and Fall Art at the Mill

Spring Art at the Mill as well as the Fall show are held at the Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood, VA and is a LIVE working mill. They grind lots of different flours that are available for purchase.

The Fall Art at the Mill usually sends out their call for art in about July or so. I suggest getting on their email list! They use this wonderful website to announce and manage the art show submissions, with the added benefit of watching the art sales...almost LIVE as things sell. The online Web Art Gallery opens the day of the show opening and may only be available for a short time afterwards, but check it out here https://artatthemillspring2026.artcall.org/pages/web-gallery

15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, VA, which is in Clarke County. The website is here https://artatthemillspring2026.artcall.org/

The Spring show is April 18, 2026 through Sunday, May 3, 2026. And from here in Lake Ridge, Virginia it takes only a little over an hour to get to the show - and its a very nice drive through the countryside. A few wineries along the way too!

Click on a photo to enlarge.

When you arrive at the Mill, the search begins for the artist - Find your artwork! I found my African Violets in a Terracotta Pot painting downstairs at the back. With 949 juried in artworks, it can be a challenge. REPEAT - 949 artworks were JURIED IN!

Water running through the Mill

No, someone did not leave their carryout behind. There is a lot of outstanding 3-D artwork in this show too.

As we got there a few minutes before 2, the art reception was almost ready for attack. They have a lovely spread out for the hundreds of artists that attend the reception...and visitors too.

Found another one of mine upstairs, Mahogany Humidor. As you can see, you need to look high, you need to look low, you never know where your art will go. AND you also need to check the website to see if it SOLD!

I hear a lot of artists say that they paint by inspiration. A great quality and thing to do - and certainly do what works for you! But I also think YOU have to go see this show! It is inspiring to see all of the artworks, the ideas, the styles, the creativity, the professionalism, dang it! the inspiration of wandering this show!

I'd LOVE to see more PWAS member artists enter this show. We were hearing a story about a Maryland art group that has many members enter every year and when they are juried in, they use a van to carry the artists and artworks on drop off day. What a merry art road trip! We know that PWAS members Bettie Sperty and Kelly Haneklau also have artwork in this show.

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Photos: Donna Liguria and Sandra McClelland Lewin

Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings and the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, VA. Donna specializes in acrylic paintings of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art.

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Do you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member? Yes, I do most commissions, so please contact me through this blog, on Facebook, My Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com, or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://donnaliguriaart.etsy.com to shop my available Artwork.

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Post 434: Over the River and Through the Woods

Over the River and Through the Woods

Friday, March 27, 2026. A road trip to the Burwell-Morgan Mill at 15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, Virginia means ONE thing. And that it is almost time for the Spring Art at the Mill Show to begin. I rode with my art friends Sandra McClelland Lewin and Bettie Sperty to deliver our accepted artwork for the show that is opening soon.

Art at the Mill

Twice a year, we love doing that over the river and through the woods road trip. Generally, from the Tall Oaks Community building at 12298 Cotton Mill Road, Woodbridge (where the Prince William Art Society holds its monthly meetings) to Millwood, Virginia is 55.4 miles and takes about 1 hour and 18 minutes to the Burwell-Morgan Mill. And that's a live, working mill. Although these days, during the art show, I do believe they hold the milling because of the potential for dust.

Google Maps from Woodbridge to Millwood (Boyce) Virginia

And you will pass Three Fox Vineyards and another winery or two, or three along the way. There are several of them. The scenery is spectacular through farm and field, vineyard and valley, seeing horsey critters and cows. Toss in the mountains and mole hills...and The Plains and Paris. We're almost there.

The Spring Art at the Mill (AATM) Show will begin on Saturday, April 18 and will run every day until Sunday, May 3, 2026. The art reception for the artists is on Sunday, April 26 from 2 to 5. There is a small fee for visitors.

The Burwell-Morgan Mill

I had to show you my painting "Art Delivery to the Mill" (2025) Acrylic on Canvas by Donna Liguria. This one was shown at the Fall 2025 Art at the Mill and is available on my Etsy here or as a print here.

A body must be able to do the stairs at Art at the Mill. During the show, some artwork is available on the main ground floor, but the bulk is up a flight of stairs. On the 'basement' or bottom floor, that is where the flour is milled and historical artifacts are mainly displayed. That narrow stairway may be closed during the show. And as you may have read in some of my previous AATM posts, the artworks on display number somewhere between 850-1000 pieces from about 300 artists. The show is juried of course, which means that just getting accepted to this show is an honor in itself.

When the show opens, all of the art is shown on their ArtCall.org website gallery and you can watch what sells in nearly real-time. If your artwork sells is shows online and you'll also get an email with the good news. The web gallery link will pop up on this page https://artatthemillspring2026.artcall.org/ and you can see how incredible this show is.

The Art Check in Process is stop at one table and give your name. The Volunteers check your art in online and give you your art labels. Second stop is handing your checked in art over where the volunteers attach the labels to your works. Other volunteers then take the art and most will go up on the walls directly (at least temporarily in a spot). Any Blue Dotted art goes up the next flight of stairs to the "attic" holding area (more on that coming up).

As the volunteers put the art up, it doesn't mean it stays exactly in that spot, they are placing them around the space and will arrange the show after all artwork is dropped off Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28. The 3-D artwork is generally put on long tables and dispersed throughout the Mill for the show.

Now what about all that artwork up on the 4th floor where the Blue Dots go? As artwork sells, the volunteers automatically go upstairs and fetch artwork to fill in the blank sold spaces so that by the time of the Art Reception, ALL of the artwork will be up on the show walls. And remember, ALL of the artwork is on the web gallery online by artist alphabetically so it is being viewed. There is a preshow for special members and when the gallery goes live, you will see a LOT of artwork SOLD already.

Here are some of my previous posts about Art at the Mill if you'd like to check those out. Lots of pictures, lots of different art and of course different art accepted to each show. Basically, Art at the Mill is wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, in and on every nook and every cranny of art in many mediums including 3D- wooden, pottery, glass, and more. No photography is allowed.

Sept 29, 2025: Art Reception at art at the Mill

Sept 2, 2025: Out to Art at the Mill and 3 Fox Winery

May 5, 2025: Art at the Mill Art Reception

Sept 2024: Fall Art at the Mill

Oct 3, 2024 Art Reception

Sept 2023: Fall Art at the Mill Art Show - A Nice Drive to Millwood

May 5, 2023: Art Reception at Art at the Mill

March 2023: Art at the Mill - Art Drop

Well, now we wait until the show and the web gallery opening on April 18. I love this art show, there is so much to see from artists all over Virginia (maybe beyond?). If you are a Prince William Art Society artist, I urge you to go see the show and to consider entering your art in the fall show. It is such a grand learning experience.

These are the 2 of my accepted artworks that will be at the show:

"African Violets in a Terracotta Pot" acrylic on canvas 10x10

"Mahogany Humidor 1" acrylic on canvas 8x10

If you are an art collector, art admirer, art buyer - Art at the Mill is the best show with hundreds of outstanding works all well worth seeing. If I don't see you at the Spring Art at the Mill, be sure and go to the Fall show!

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Thursday, March 19, 2026

Post 432: Upcoming Art Shows for 2026

2026 Art Shows

The art show season begins early in the year, perhaps depending on where you live, it is year around. Nonetheless, there are art shows scheduled throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall that I, along with many of the other area artists enter faithfully every year. And some shows spring up with little or no advance warning on occasion, hence the need for some art inventory! Let's take a look at what is on my spidey art radar so far in 2026.

January 2026

Somehow, I did not paint anything new from the end of November 2025 until the beginning of February 2026. Sometimes you just have other things you must get done. I did not enter any shows but I heavily updated my Etsy page! Not sure WHY, but I had a very good January on Etsy too. Perhaps folks were spending their Christmas money.

Donna Liguria Art's Etsy Page

February 2026

Did not enter any shows, but continued to update my Etsy page (on going).
Time to start submitting some art! I missed entering one of the shows at the Falls Church Arts group's gallery space. And the PWAS art group missed the Bluebell Festival Show too. I do like that art show!

March 2026

75th Annual Fredericksburg Fine Arts Show & Sale

Friday, March 20, 2026, 10am–8pm
Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10am–6pm
Sunday, March 22, 2026, 10am–4pm
at the Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal Street.
Free admission, the public is invited to attend

2024 Me with "No One Can Teach Riding So Well As A Horse"

Etsy updates are ongoing as well as needing to rehash the Donna Liguria Art Website.

April 2026

Applied to or submitted art to enter several shows. Just because you pay to enter, doesn't necessarily mean that your art is accepted to show in many of these shows. They are juried (which means someone selects what will show).

Spring Art at the Mill at the Burwell-Morgan Mill - 2 of my artworks were accepted.

15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, VA
Saturday, April 18, 2026 through Sunday, May 3, 2026
Art reception on Sunday, April 26.

Burwell-Morgan Mill photo taken 2025 by Donna Liguria

Annaburg Manor will probably host several shows through the year with April 24 being the first show. I entered several to this show but I do not know yet if I got in.

9201 Maple Street, Manassas, VA 20110

April 24-26, 2026

Art Reception April 24

2025 Annaburg Manor photo by Donna Liguria

May 2026

May 2, 2026 Spring Tall Oaks - the PWAS art group members show art at the community center next to the pool.

Time TBD
12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA

Tall Oaks Community Building photo by Donna Liguria

June 2026

June 27 - August 15, 2026 Creative Brush Studio "America the Beautiful". I hope to have a few pieces ready for this show.

8951 Center Street Manassas VA. 20110
Art Reception Saturday, June 27 11am-5pm

2021 Creative Brush Small Works Show, top left is "Great Horned Owl" by Donna Liguria

July 2026

ARTfactory in Manassas, VA. The Prince William Art Society will have a member art show with the theme of "Nostalgia" coming up. I'll be looking through my inventory and painting some new art to enter this show.

"Sunrise at Historic ARTfactory" by Donna Liguria

August 2026

Time to start thinking about the fall seasonal shows and applying to them. The Fall Tall Oaks Show, the Fall Art at the Mill, and Annual Piedmont Regional Show at The Plains calls for art will come out in August and September.

September 2026

Fall Art at the Mill TBD

15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, VA
Show Dates
Art reception

"Art Delivery to Art at the Mill" by Donna Liguria

October 2026

Oct. 2026 The Annual Piedmont Regional Art Show

Exact Date and Time TBD

Art Reception TBD

6507 Main St, The Plains, VA 20198

There is a fee to enter - at least for the Art Reception. Check before you go. Artists get a pass for the AR.

Grace Church at The Plains by Donna Liguria

Oct. 2026 Fall Tall Oaks Art Show - the PWAS art group members show art at the community center next to the pool.
Time TBD
12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA

2023 Fall Tall Oaks Show by Donna Liguria

Arts Alive TBD as the PWCAC has been discontinued, do not know the status of the show. Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas.

Hylton Performing Arts Center George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA photo by Donna Liguria

November 2026

The Fall ARTfactory show may be on the calendar again. This used to be the Artist Inventory Sale.

December 2026

PWAS Art Group has a members only Christmas party and do not meet.

Any art shows are TBD. As updates to the schedule occur, I'll update this blog!

Art Inventory

You quickly realize as an artist that you do need a LOT of inventory to enter shows, for several very important reasons:

Many art shows do not want you to resubmit art they have seen before. This means you need to track ALL of your art and where its been and when.
Some art shows have themes, so your work needs to clearly "fit" the display they are promoting for their guests. This means that you may end up with a lot of art that is for specific types of shows - for better or worse.
Artists gotta create and try new things, so its an ongoing NEED to make new art. Storing all that art begins to be a challenge in many a studio or home.
If an artist is scheduling a solo art show, the artist will need a cohesive body of work that the art space/gallery will display in a way that 'tells a story'.
Often, size does matter when it comes to art, which is a blessing and a curse in calls for art shows. Watching the size restrictions - both minimum and maximum sizes may shut out not only some of your art, but artists that only work large, or potentially work very small.

Have anything to add? Drop it in the comments below.

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Monday, September 29, 2025

Post 415: Sep 28 Art Reception at Art at the Mill Fall Art Show

Sep 28 Art Reception at Art at the Mill Fall Art Show

Sunday, September 28, 2025 was the artist's reception at the Fall Art at the Mill Art Show held biannually at the Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood, Virginia. Sandra McClelland Lewin and her husband, John and I went out to the Mill to enjoy the day and the show.

What Brought About this Painting?

Ever since I joined the Prince William Art Society in 2021, I've heard several of the artists talk about Art at the Mill. I soon learned why. And ever since then I try to encourage other PWAS members to apply to that show! Just getting IN, having your artwork accepted in the jury process, is an honor in itself. They are currently accepting up to about 900 or so pieces, depending on size, from about 250-300 artists.

Don't you love seeing plein air painters out doing their thing at a beautiful spot?

The first order of business when you get tot the Mill is 'Find Your Artwork'...well, at an art reception it could also include 'Get a Beverage' followed by a plate and then walk around and look for your artwork.

We understand that they can currently display about 500 pieces at one time, which means that some artwork - although available on their online Web Gallery - is stored upstairs (the fourth floor). As artwork sells, art of a similar size is quickly brought down and put on display for the visitors. Their goal is to have ALL artwork UP on the walls by the art reception, which is midway point of the show.

PWAS Member Bettie Sperty's painting on the second floor.

My painting on a table called "Art Delivery to the Mill" on the second floor.

My painting called "Going for a Run" is the horse painting above, on the second floor.

Barrel painting by PWAS Member Bettie Sperty, we found this on the second floor.

My painting of Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington DC, on the main floor at the back. You have to walk past the look over spot and see the wheel spinning as the water goes through the mill. Pretty cool.

Sandra McClelland Lewin between 2 of her paintings, on the main floor - the blue jay to her right, and the skull on her left.

We found PWAS Member Mark Clifton's painting on the main floor next to the check out counter, the larger painting.

Sure, its a bit of a drive from Woodbridge, but on a beautiful day, the scenery sure makes the drive worth it. On top of even that, The Burwell-Morgan Mill at 15 Tannery Lane, Milwood, Virginia is a live working mill! The mill may not run during the art show - because of the potential flour dust, but oh that wheel is a-spinnin'!

See https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2023/03/post-296-art-at-mill.html
and https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2023/05/post-303-art-reception-at-art-at-mill.html for more Mill workings photos including the lower level where the milling happens.

We did see another of our PWAS members, Terry Sandlin, and talked with him several minutes. We also saw our art friend Maureen Guillot. It is so lovely to meet and speak with the artists at the show and be so inspired by all of the wonderful art - literally, in every nook and cranny, surface and space.

We will continue to encourage the PWAS Members to enter this show! We heard about an art group in Maryland that enters every year and about 15 of them rent a van and all come at once to deliver their art. Oh how wonderful to just make a day of it!

And congratulations to the artists that have already made sales!! Several of us have had at least one sale already. The fall show runs from Saturday, September 20 to Sunday, October 5, 2025 and is open every day. During the show, the artwork can also be viewed online at Art at the Mill Web Gallery.

As Art of the Mill is an art show that is held in the Spring and in the Fall, we all look forward to that next show and the opportunities it gives an artist. Sign up for alerts, and maybe see you there in 2026!

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Donna's Cave Paintings Blog - by Donna Liguria Art

Paint Data

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Post 441: Art at the Mill Art Reception Sun Apr 26, 2026

Art at the Mill Art Reception Sun Apr 26, 2026

The Spring and Fall Art at the Mill

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Post 434: Over the River and Through the Woods

Over the River and Through the Woods

Art at the Mill

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Post 432: Upcoming Art Shows for 2026

2026 Art Shows

January 2026

February 2026

March 2026

75th Annual Fredericksburg Fine Arts Show & Sale

April 2026

May 2026

June 2026

July 2026

August 2026

September 2026

October 2026

November 2026

December 2026

Art Inventory

Monday, September 29, 2025

Post 415: Sep 28 Art Reception at Art at the Mill Fall Art Show

Sep 28 Art Reception at Art at the Mill Fall Art Show

What Brought About this Painting?

Local Blog List

A Side Note

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