Fluvanna Parks and Recreation Department, with the Fluvanna Art Association, showcased the work of local artists: a diverse group of artists working in a variety of techniques and styles that say, “If it doesn’t move, paint it.”

The painters are the members of Painters at the Lake and their first show recently opened with a reception at the Fork Union facility on Jan. 21. The program exhibited artwork primarily on objects, such as vases, furniture, clocks, aprons and other decorative items. However, the artists at the art show did not just work on the beautification of everyday objects; they also created work on canvas as well as paper. One artist even used the human face as her canvas by showing off her art at face painting. The skill and quality of each piece made it difficult to tell the weekend painters from the professionals.

The Painters at the Lake was founded in 2003 by three Lake Monticello residents. They first met in March 2003, and have been bringing people together, both professional artists and those simply wanting to learn how to paint in a fun and social atmosphere. The “casual” group gathers in an enjoyable learning environment to foster an interest in decorative painting, which is an art form whereby anything from furniture to a wall is decorated with an actual painted subject. The goal was and still is, according to their brochure, to offer “anyone the opportunity to create beautiful and useful artwork, even if you have never picked up a brush.” 

Residency at Lake Monticello is not required to join, just an interest in giving in to your need to creative. Formal artistic training is also not required, just a love for making beautiful things. One of the group’s ongoing projects is Memory Boxes, a national, all-volunteer effort to provide a memento for families that have a young child who dies in a hospital. The boxes are decorated by the Painters at the Lake artists and then donated to local hospitals in support of their bereavement programs.

The art show was the first-ever presentation of the work of Painters at the Lake in a public gallery setting in the entire nearly nine years of the group’s existence. 
“We’ve never done one before,” stated Marilyn Hale, one of the club’s coordinators. She was very excited about the response as well as the large crowd that attended the opening day festivities.

The group’s current roster is made up of 28 active members who include not only Lake Monticello and Fluvanna residents, but some even come from as far away as Richmond and Nellysford. The variety of people helps nurture creativity and ensures that everyone is successful. The artwork that hung at the show showed the prowess of the club at lovingly creating artwork on functional objects.

One of the group’s biggest fans is Nancy Miner, a Palmyra artist who owns Metamorphosis! Face and Body Painting, a local small business that does face painting and temporary tattoos for large functions across Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland near Washington, D.C. She not only showed off her face-painting skill in a few exhibited photos, but she even painted her own face. Miner is just one of the professionals that make up the Painters at the Lake and was instrumental in getting the word out about the club’s reception and the exhibition, which will run through the beginning of March.

Those interested in learning the very teachable art technique of decorative painting are encouraged to attend a meeting of the Painters at the Lake, which meets every third Saturday of the month at the Lake Monticello Clubhouse. All are welcome to attend. For more information about the organization, contact Marilyn Hale at (434) 589-6672 or Joann Oss at (434) 589-4478.