Experimental Art Group will display works at RWC in July

Artists meet at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury

They’ve always been a dozen, not a dirty dozen or a baker’s dozen, an even dozen. The 12 members of the Experimental Art Group bring their unique perspectives to Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury as the featured artists for July.

Shortly after the Rappahannock Art League opened the Studio Gallery in 2000, this group of artists decided to get together to paint and critique. The idea was that in working together, they could encourage each other to try new approaches.

“Our group relies on each other for honest opinions, advice and support,” said Sarah Soderlund, Experimental Art Group member and an accomplished watermedia painter. “Also, we share information about new media and processes to encourage further experimentation.”

Many of the 12 members deal in abstracts, though a variety of media is used including oil, acrylics, pastels and even jewelry. “We don’t want to just paint pretty pictures of boats,” Soderlund said.

“We used to meet at the Rappahannock Art League on Main Street, but now we meet at RWC on the first Wednesday of every month,” she said. “We eat lunch and critique each other’s work.”

Formed 15 years ago, five of the original members are still involved; they vote new members in as old members leave.

“We have always had a dozen members,” Soderlund said. “You can’t be thin-skinned because we are here to help each other become better artists. After 18 years of working together, we’ve built up a level of trust that allows for brutal honesty.”

Residents and community members are invited to view the Experimental Art Group’s exhibition from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily throughout July in RWC’s Gallery Hall.