Exhibit Honors Art and Life of Wanda Prillaman

An exhibit honoring the contributions of local watercolor artist Wanda Prillaman to the art world will open to the public at Piedmont Arts on March 11, 2017. The exhibit features 34 works by Wanda and works by 21 regional watercolor artists who experienced Wanda’s influence in their lives.

“Wanda will always be remembered as one of Martinsville-Henry County’s most celebrated artists,” said Director of Exhibitions Heidi Pinkston. “She enriched the community through her love of art and by sharing her knowledge as an art teacher.” Over her career, Wanda taught art at Martinsville High School, Bassett High School, Drewey Mason High School, Patrick Henry Community College and in her home. 

A signature member of the Virginia Watercolor Society, Wanda showed work in many regional and state shows and received countless awards for her work. Her paintings can be found in numerous private collections in the United States, France, England and in collections owned by libraries and colleges. Wanda was also involved in many clubs and organizations. She co-organized the Lynwood Artists – a group of regional artists that founded Piedmont Arts in 1961. She is past president and a sustaining member of the Charity League of Martinsville-Henry County; past president of the Piedmont Arts Board of Directors; past president of the Virginia Watercolor Society; and was a member of the Garden Study Club, the El Libro Book Club and the Master Gardeners.  

In addition to Wanda’s work, 21 regional artists were invited to participate in this exhibition. 

Artists exhibiting work in the invitational include: Tracy Budd of Roanoke, Va.; Carole C. Davis of Blacksburg, Va.; Vera Dickerson of Troutville, Va.; David Eakin of Forest, Va.; Carolyn  Epperly; Charleston, S.C.; Jane Winders Frank of Roanoke, Va.; S. Revelle Hamilton of Bedford, Va.; Myrtle Hooker of Roanoke, Va.; Jane Iten of Ridgeway, Va.; Donna S. Koger of Martinsville, Va.; Linda Lavigne Long of Richmond, Va.; Perri L. Mason of Bedford, Va.; Nancy Newhard of Clifton Forge, Va.; Purnell Pettyjohn of Lynchburg, Va.; Martha Rhodes of Roanoke, Va.;  Suzanne Davis Ross of Roanoke, Va.; Nancy M. Stark of Roanoke, Va.; Gari Stephenson of Roanoke, Va.; Jane Carter Vaughn of Lynchburg, Va.;  Michele Walter of Blacksburg, Va.; and Betty M. Williamson of Roanoke, Va. 

Wanda Prillaman Watercolor Invitational is sponsored by King’s Grant, Hal Prillaman, Nancy Baker, Dr. Barry Dorsey, Ron and Elaine Ferrill, Jim and Sandra Ford, Langhorne Mauck, John and Phyllis Mitchell, John and Nancy Philpott, Jim and Eliza Severt, Patricia S. Wilson and Lynwood Artists. 

In addition, Adjunct | Ben Winslow will be on display in the Lynwood Artists Gallery. Ben is a pottery instructor and studio tech at Rockingham Community College in Wenworth, N.C. He has been working in ceramics for 10 years. His work has been exhibited at Piedmont Arts as part of Expressions, where he has won several awards.

Wanda Prillaman Watercolor Invitational and Adjunct | Ben Winslow will be on display at Piedmont Arts March 11 – April 29, 2017. Piedmont Arts hours are Tuesday – Friday from 10 am – 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am – 3 pm. Admission is free.

Members-Only Reception

Piedmont Arts will host a Members-Only Reception in honor of Wanda Prillaman Watercolor Invitational and Adjunct | Ben Winslow on Friday, March 10 from 5:30 – 7:30 m at the museum. Piedmont Arts members, prospective members and guests are invited to attend. Complimentary wine and light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP attendance to 276.632.3221 or online at PiedmontArts.org.