McLean Art Society reception October 10 celebrates opening of first gallery after 70 years.
After 70 years the McLean Art Society (MAS) finally has a “real home” in the newly reimagined Chesterbrook Shopping Center on Old Dominion Drive. The gallery had a grand opening on October 10 from 5-8 p.m.
Although Mike Potashnik, an artist and five-year member of MAS, indicated the gallery is currently a “pop up” home and they have the space through the end of the year. “We don’t know after that but I think you can see by the crowd this is going to be popular.” As evidence the clicker at the front door had registered 184 visitors by 6 pm, and cars were circling the parking lot waiting for a spot to open up.
Patrons mingled with a glass of wine, stopping at a watercolor, on to a graphic and charcoal, mixed media
Jane McElvany, Art Gallery Director and member of McLean Art Society for 20 years
Each of 35 artists participating was asked to contribute six pieces. Any of the 70 plus MAS members who wanted to exhibit their work was part of the show. Thirty-five artists participated, and each was asked to contribute 6 works of art.
Jane McElvany Coonce, oil and watercolor artist and Gallery Director, said once MAS learned they got the space at Chesterbrook Shopping Center in June, it took July and August to get things ready; and they opened unofficially September 15. “It’s a big job to figure out what goes where and we borrowed the walls and had to get hooks and all kinds of little stuff like cleaning supplies. But we had a lot of experts working on it who had done this in the past.”
McElvany Coonce says they are currently planning two more shows for the first Fridays in November and December that will have completely new work. “I don’t have a tally but it looks like we have been selling a lot tonight. Things are flying off the walls.”
Potashnik, a resident of McLean, stands beside his abstract “Quadrants.” “I don’t plan what-to put in each quadrant in advance; it just comes. I feel as I paint. I have five buyers who want it. I don’t know how I’ll decide.” He says he is in charge of creating an education program to help enrich the McLean Art Society members. “We bring in other artists to talk about techniques and other topics in our monthly meetings.” And he adds that they try to help people who are renovating their houses to think about how to incorporate art.”
Diane Evans-Gayer, an Arlington resident, had come to the opening to see the watercolors of Tom Neville, her art instructor for 15 years.
Milka Taherian from McLean, was there with her daughter Samantha. “We have been coming here regularly since it opened several weeks ago. We had already bought some of the glass pieces before the opening tonight. The prices here are very reasonable.” Milka says she loves it because it shows the community coming together. Look, local restaurants have donated the humus and grape leaves and sweets, and I’ve been telling all of my friends to show up tonight. It’s very special.”
McLean Art Society ”welcomes community art enthusiasts of all levels, offering enriching experiences through regular meetings featuring presentations by renowned artists, rotating art displays at local recreation centers, and curated exhibitions. “