Peninsula Fine Arts Center Shows Gloria Coker Solo Exhibition

Written by Lorna Cartwright Thursday, 16 June 2011 23:55

Newport News, VA.- Peninsula Fine Arts Center presents the artwork of Gloria Coker in "Joie de Vivre", an exhibition opening June 18th and continuing through July 10th. A “Meet the Artist” reception from 2 to 4 pm, Sunday, June 19th is free and open to the public. Recognition for her artistic achievements is impressive. An article about her work has appeared in American Artist Watercolor. Her art has appeared on posters and brochure covers for Hampton Bay Days, Norfolk’s Harborfest and both the Virginia and the Buffalo symphonies.

“Gloria is one of the most energetic artists I have ever met and ‘Joy of Life’ is the perfect title,” says Pfac Curator Michael Preble who selected the exhibition with the artist. “She has a unique passion for her art – not only in her feelings toward her subjects, but in her commitment to technique. And the range is surprising. At one moment, she is painting an orchestra; in another, an intimate moment. At times her compositions explode with the bravura of an adventurous colorist; at others, a more subdued approach with muted tones appears. While broad brushstrokes fill the canvas, her drawing skills are definitely at work, too.” Known throughout Hampton Roads for her exuberant paintings of dancers and musicians, Coker presents a broad range of work with over 30 acrylics, oils and works on paper. The exhibition includes large scale paintings, like "Tango at El Jaleo" and "Making Me Dizzy" and smaller works, including "Day Off" and "Ice on the Marsh". Included are a number of finished works with their preliminary sketches, as well as independent sketches and several works from her personal notebooks.

Sony selected a jazz painting for the CD cover "Modern Jazz Classics" and her art was featured on a CD cover for JoAnn Falletta, conductor for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Her art is included in numerous regional and national public and private collections. Prior to becoming a professional artist, Coker was an illustrator for the Daily Press for 12 years. Her work there included illustrating newsroom and feature stories as well as courtroom art, which appeared in the newspaper and on TV. Her academic background includes a BA in psychology and a Masters in Counseling and Guidance from William and Mary.

The Peninsula Fine Arts Center is an art museum located in Newport News, Virginia and is associated with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. It is located at 101 Museum Drive on the grounds of the park surrounding the Mariners' Museum and is accredited with the American Association of Museums. In addition to changing gallery space, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center maintains a permanent "Hands On For Kids" gallery designed for children and families to interact in what the Center describes as "a fun, educational environment that encourages participation with art materials and concepts." Visit the museum's website at ... www.pfac-va.org

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