Center For The Arts - Caton Merchant Family Art Gallery

The Caton Merchant Family Gallery, located on the first floor of the Candy Factory building, shows nine art exhibits each year. The exhibits feature regional artists as well as works by world-renowned artists such as sculptor Joseph Henry Lonas. The Center sponsors a yearly juried youth art exhibit, featuring artwork created by local high school students. With an open floor plan, the gallery also accommodates a wide range of other activities, including art lectures and music recitals.

Dominion Virginia Power
Carl & Sally Lay
Lockheed Martin MS2
Prince William Hospital

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Hours

Monday - Friday
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Candy Factory IV
Regional Juried Exhibit
July 29 - September 9

Old Rider photo by Kathy Strauss

"Old Rider"
Photograph by Kathy Strauss

Current Exhibit

July 29 – Sept. 9, 2010
Candy Factory IV
An open call to local artists, in Prince William and counties to the south and west, invites artists of all media to enter this juried exhibition. This exhibit has never been themed and gives artists an opportunity to work in the present on what is foremost in their creative minds.

Upcoming Exhibits

Sept. 17 – Oct. 28, 2010
Edith Heins
Mind Chatter
True to her 30+ years as an art instructor, Edith Heins wants to share with gallery goers the not-too-often -seen step-by-step of printmaking. From working sketch, to proof, to engraved metal plate, Edith gives the process a viewing here. In addition, her oils of family life, her collages, and unique abstracts reflect an artist joyfully exploring the boundlessness of possibility.

Nov. 4 – Dec. 16, 2010
Allison Long Hardy
Jay Schiffres
Allison Long Hardy and Jay Schiffres present a fantastic world within, and in complement, to each of their abstract images. Allison Long Hardy works in various printmaking processes responding to and capturing energy as it happens around and within her. Jay Shiffres works in acrylic on large canvas, exploring color and intuitive responses to the painting process. Both artists give a passionate interpretation to the random and the invisible world they experience.

Dec. 23 – Feb. 2, 2011
Off the Wall
Going into its seventh year, this annual exhibition from local area high school artists is a fine opportunity to see our youth’s creative talents on display in what is usually for them a first-time professional gallery setting. This yearly juried exhibition has students rising to the challenge of bringing their most insightful and well executed art to be presented to a public audience. Check back here in the fall of 2010 to view rules on how to enter.

June 17 – July 22, 2010
Artists Undertaking
The Artists Undertaking cooperative presents a group exhibit of six member artists in an array of media, digital photography, watercolor, pastels, printmaking and mixed media. This exhibit reflects intricate design, unique craftsmanship and a bit of whimsy.

May 6 – June 11, 2010
Gallery 10 in 2010
Since its founding in 1974, Gallery 10 has been known for promoting experimental art in all media. As a continuation of "MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts", Gallery 10 will bring on more adventure and nontraditional work to highlight this group of up to twenty innovative artists. These artists continuously exhibit in national and international venues while being known for creative exploration.

March 24 – April 29, 2010
4 Visions in a Different Light
4 Visions Exhibit Website
This exhibition based on alternative photographic processes is by four digital fine art photographers, Teresa Airey, Susan Ruddick Bloom, Jill Enfield and Elizabeth Opalenik. The artists are known for their creative work in digital manipulation, hand coloring, collage and more, present a traveling exhibition of infrared photography to be part of the statewide initiative "MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts". Artist's Reception Mar. 27, 6-8pm.

February 4 – March 18, 2010
Myth & Mystery with
Tracey Clarke, Kathleen Kendall, Karen Eide
Myth, nature and the human form, presented by three artists in oils, encaustic and mixed media, speak to the artists’ affinity with the natural environment and the unseen world. Steady observation and a healthy respect for the unknown helped formulate this body of work in response to nature’s watchful eye.

Dec. 23 – Jan. 29, 2010
Off the Wall
Open House - Jan. 9, 3-5pm
Sponsored by Lockheed Martin
It’s no longer a surprise, the quality and reflected thought that is on view in the artwork displayed by our area high school students. This 6^th annual PWC student exhibition Off the Wall will be no exception when showcasing the best from students in Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park and surrounding areas. For instructions on how to enter click on Call for Entries.

The Center for the Arts/Caton Merchant Family Gallery (CFA/CMFG) in support of the mission of the Center for the Arts, serves to enrich the quality of life among all the populations in our area through diverse educational and presentational arts programming of the highest quality. Exhibitions are selected on the extent to which they enhance the Center’s mission and the exhibition policy of the CFA/CMFG.

The Center for the Arts/Caton Merchant Family Gallery will review for the purpose of exhibition all contemporary artists, in any medium, who submit a proposal. By committee, each exhibit will be determined and selected artists will be notified. Any proposal that must be returned to the artist should be labeled as such when submitted along with sufficient return postage. Proposals must be submitted with images for review, these may include slides, CD, photographs or high quality laser printed sheets.

Due to the sensitivity of an adapted re-use building the CFA/CMFG will hold restrictions on size, proportions, weights of objects and installations. Installations will be considered on a very limited basis.