THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 11, 1996 TAG: 9608090071
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERESA ANNAS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 74 lines
A SOLO SHOW for Norfolk sculptor Hal Weaver is on view at Hope House Foundation Thrift Shop, with a reception scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday.
Weaver is one of the more interesting area artists, with a distinctive neoprimitive style played out mostly on bas relief forms. His tastes run to the beat, so jazz trumpeter Chet Baker and ``Naked Lunch'' novelist William Burroughs have been among his subjects.
Like Keith Haring before he came out of the subway stations with his graffiti art, Weaver is still largely a subterranean figure. He's often seen at local outdoor art shows - especially the Stockley Gardens spring and fall art festivals, which are sponsored by the community-minded Hope House organization. (The fall show is set for Oct. 19-20.)
Weaver's show continues through Aug. 31. The artist's party is free and open to the public at the thrift shop, 1800 Monticello Ave., Norfolk. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays.
Twenty percent of artists' sales go to the thrift shop, which gives 100 percent of its proceeds to Hope House to provide support for local people with developmental disabilities. Call 625-7493 for more information. CRAFTS AT THE BEACH
Eighty-five creators of pottery, sculpture, painted furniture and baskets will be displaying their works next weekend at the American Craft & Folk Art Show at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center.
The 11-year-old exhibit is prejuried for quality of craftsmanship and originality of design. Folk artist and entrepreneur Sharon Pierce McCullough produces the show with her husband, Michael McCullough. Formerly of Virginia Beach, Pierce now lives in Cashtown, Pa.
Artists from all along the East Coast will be here for the show, as well as local makers - from award-winning Norfolk sculptor Deborah Rogers to show newcomer Irma Tyrell, a Virginia Beach designer of ``Punch 'n' Judy'' puppets.
Having produced half a dozen such shows in the last decade, Pierce McCullough has learned to quickly assess the local market. For instance, her Annandale, Md., show, set for Sept. 21-22, focuses on top designers of wearable art
The Virginia Beach exhibit is ``probably our most varied show,'' she said. ``We started out pretty traditional and folk-art oriented. Now, it's become a complete mix of not real contemporary, but fine, well-made crafts. We still don't have any cutesy country-cupboard things.''
One of the most popular entrants is a team of artisans - Robyn and daughter Rene Humphrey of Yorktown, who paint used or antique furniture. ``And they always sell out, completely,'' McCullough said.
Also popular is potter Steven Edward Summerville, whose work features lyrical and festive slip designs. Deborah Rogers' sophisti-cated narrative sculptures - dubbed folk only by virtue of the artist's self-taught status - also tend to sell out, though they're priced from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
The show takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5. Call 495-1817 for more information. TOP ``PORTFOLIOS''
Folk painter Kacey Sydnor Carneal of Gloucester was awarded best in show in the Tidewater Artist Association's annual ``Portfolio'' exhibit.
The show is on view through Sept. 1 at the Charles H. Taylor Arts Center in Hampton and was judged this year by David Levinson, an art photographer who teaches his craft at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton.
Two awards of excellence were given to stained glass artist Susan Newman and watercolorist Dan Smith. Awards of merit went to Betty Bonnie and Claude O. Jones.
The point of the Portfolio show is to mount a group show featuring four or more works by each artist, lending some depth to the display. The Taylor gallery is at 4205 Victoria Blvd. and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, weekends 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Call 722-ARTS (2787) for more information. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Hal Weaver's display at the 1996 Stockley Gardens Spring Arts
Festival. His work is now at Hope House Foundation Thrift Shop. by CNB