Pieced with love
“It is a real thrill when someone sees one of my paintings and feels a connection,” says painter and collage artist Scheline Crutchfield. “It’s almost like we were in the same place at the same time.” Like many artists, Crutchfield was missing that connection during COVID closures. “I created a lot of new art during the pandemic, but there were no venues for showing it,” she says.
Things changed when Suzanne Owen, owner of Neroli Spa, expressed interest in creating a gallery space. Crutchfield jumped at the chance to share her work with the public again, and saw it as an opportunity to pay it forward. Ten percent of proceeds from the show will be donated to The Women’s Initiative, a local nonprofit that provides counseling, social support, and education programs to women in need.
Primarily known for her oil paintings on canvas, Crutchfield recently started “experimenting with collage as a method to plan out my oil paintings,” she says. “I liked it so much that I began to use [it] as a medium.”
Inspired by women who remained “beautiful, bold, and confident, sort of the opposite of how many women and girls were feeling during the pandemic,” Crutchfield says she was drawn to collage as a way to represent female power.
Her mix of paper, texture, and layering captures the beauty of her subjects. Crutchfield’s “Hip Chick’’ series uses recycled Starbucks K-cup boxes, and vintage wallpaper samples appear in many of her fashion-based collages. The finished products are small but mighty portraits of powerful women.
Perhaps the most meaningful piece in the show? A blank canvas that represents the challenges women may face when seeking help. “A blank canvas is intimidating. You never know if things will work out the way you want, but making that first mark sets you on a path toward progress.” —Maeve Hayden
December Shows
Artistic Remedies for Creative Hearts 8767 Seminole Tr., Suite 101, Ruckersville. “The Red Exhibit” features work from ARCH members. Opens December 4.
Baker Gallery Woodberry Forest School, 898 Woodberry Forest Rd. “Nothing in Particular” features large-scale photographs by John Berry. Through December 18.
Battle Building 1204 W. Main St. On the ground floor, viewable from outside, “The Bodice Project” is an exhibition of torso sculptures, some of actual women and men who have undergone mastectomies or reconstructive surgery. Through January 2022.
The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative 209 Monticello Rd. “Give & Take” transforms the gallery space into a swap shop of rotating items. Coming in December.
Chroma Projects Inside Vault Virginia, Third St. SE. “Sugar Plum Dreams of the Anthropocene” showcases works by Brad Birchett and Aggie Zed. Opens December 3.
Create Gallery Inside Indoor Biotechnologies, 700 Harris St. “Rock, Pebble and Stone” is a group show by the Fiber and Stitch Art Collective. Through December 20.
C’ville Arts Cooperative Gallery 118 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. “Color My World” showcases Gillian Ruffa’s latest work in copper jewelry. Through December 31.
Invitational Gallery Inside Shenandoah Valley Art Center, 126 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro. Pottery show and sale features affordable works from members. Through January 15.
McGuffey Art Center 201 Second St. NW. First Friday event with three floors of art and open studios. In the hallways galleries, the holiday show and sale features two floors of art. December 3.
Neroli Spa 507 W. Main St. Paintings and collages by Scheline Crutchfield. Through December 31.
New City Arts 114 Third St. NE. In the Welcome Gallery, “New City Artist Exchange” features works in a variety of mediums from 11 local artists. Opens December 3.
Northside Library 705 Rio Rd. In the lobby, acrylics by Camille Gerrick. In the Quiet Room, melted crayon and acrylic works by Sara Gondwe.
Second Street Gallery 115 Second St. SE. In the Main Gallery, “Inside the Artist’s Studio,” a group exhibition. In the Dové Gallery, “The Third Mind.” Opens December 3.
Studio IX 969 Second St. SE. Features work by Marley Nichelle as part of the Prolyfyck Exhibition Series. Opens December 3.
Unitarian Universalist Inside the Sanctuary, 717 Rugby Rd. “Season of Light” showcases works by artists of all ages. Opens December 4.
Quirk Gallery 499 W. Main St. “Maybe/Sometimes,” large-scale works on canvas by Aimee Joyaux. Through January 16.
Visible Records 1740 Broadway St. The Visible Records Group Show. Opens December 17.