[work] remains on view through August 1, 2010. Support for the exhibition is provided in part by Altria Group.

(Image: Pamela Rose-Rennolds, “Dream of Spring”, 2010, ceramic; Jeff Vick, Green crystal bottle,  2010, ceramic)

For a detailed overview of the program and for information on registration, click here.

Visit our new blog for ongoing conversation and resources about creativity!  The latest: responses to IBM’s 2010 Global CEO Study, which reports that a majority of CEOs cite creativity as the most important leadership quality required to cope with growing complexity.

Opening April 9, Loren Schwerd: Mourning Portrait is a series of memorials to the communities of New Orleans that were devastated by the flooding that followed Hurricane Katrina. Assistant Professor of Sculpture at Louisiana State University School of Art in Baton Rouge, Schwerd began by working from her photographs of vacant houses and businesses in the Ninth Ward neighborhood. She wove hair into portraits of these homes using human hair extensions she found outside the St. Claude Beauty Supply. “By documenting private homes, I venerate the city’s losses, both individual and collective,” says the artist.

Loren Schwerd: Mourning Portrait is presented in conjunction with Minds Wide Open: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts, the first statewide celebration of its kind. Between March and June of 2010, thousands of special events will occur to honor contributions by women to arts and culture.

Read more about the exhibition and related programming here.

Read an article about the exhibition from Richmond Magazine here.

Don’t overlook these two new Saturday workshops focusing on creativity. In February, Climbing the Right Mountains: Creating Your Personal Vision with John Sarvay:

And in March, try The State of Who You Are with artist Anne Chamblin:

Create a map of who you are, where you are, and where you’ve been. Using a variety of mixed media materials, we will create, or chart a map of ourselves, our lives, and our journeys. We will brainstorm using word association, color, and mark-making to illustrate a pictorial route of our personal journeys. The result will be a colorful and decorative description of our history.

Find details on these workshops and all the other classes on the Adult Classes pages.

As the creative head of her own company, Sandra Miller creates all of the knitwear designs. Graduating from Rhode Island School of Design gained her experience in pattern making, fitting and design.  Sandra’s original hand-loomed knit pieces are striking works of art and, at the same time, well-made and wearable fashions.

After receiving a MFA in Textiles at Rhode Island School of Design, Jeung-Hwa Park combines knitting and felting to create innovative scarf forms that bring a sculptural and textural sense of aesthetics to knitting.

Anna Shapiro’s refreshing non-traditional designs drape effortlessly over the shoulders. Styles range from elegant to eclectic and can be worn for a day at the beach or a black tie event. Each piece is created through original patterns and unconventional techniques on a manual knitting machine.

Meet these artists and dozens more at the 45th Craft + Design Show, Saturday and Sunday at the Science Museum of Virginia! You admission fee benefits the programs of the Visual Arts Center.

In his own words:

“I was drawn to working with hot glass due to its energy and the engaging nature of the process. The potential of the material excites me and has gotten me captivated with the possibilities. I applied for this residency to have the opportunity to use a more renewable / environmentally-friendly glass studio, as well as have access to facilities within a supportive community to develop my work.

“I find object making to be a very abstract form of story telling, the building blocks of a cultural identity. Whether it the richness of ancient objects worn with use or the crispness of modern design, it is how they capture a sense of time and place that speaks without words.”

Check out Ian and his creations at the 45th Craft + Design Show Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22 at the Science Museum of Virginia. Your admission fee supports the Center’s programs!

Visit the Craft + Design Show page to see an image from each participating artist as well as ticket and time details!

There are still a few openings in David Tanner’s Oil Painting Intensive, which meets 9 AM-5 PM daily 10/26-30. And we always have great Saturday workshops, too many to list! Visit the class listings for details and we hope to see you soon.