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PrintEchoes of the Past
The Randolph County Community Arts Center commemorates the First Campaign of the Civil War with an exhibit featuring West Virginia artists.
Echoes of the Past: The Civil War 150 Years Later is an exhibit hosted by the Randolph County Community Arts Center, featuring two West Virginia artists, Gary Casteel and Mark Churms, among other artists. The exhibit is part of many statewide events commemorating the anniversary of the Civil War.
“We are excited and honored to have such accomplished historical artists exhibiting work at the Randolph County Community Arts Center,” says Doreen Hall, Arts Center board president and exhibit committee chairperson. “These wonderful paintings, sculptures, and prints will give visitors an insight into how events unfolded 150 years ago, as depicted by the artists.”
Gary Casteel, a nationally recognized sculptor, was born in the West Virginia hills and has always been fascinated with history and art. His work is highly regarded and has been requested by the National Park Service, state and local governments, corporations, and private enterprises. Casteel was honored in 2000 by the National Civil War Memorial Commission with an invitation to design and sculpt a memorial for the War Between the States.
Mark Churms spent the last two decades honing his talents as a freelance fine artist. Now a West Virginian, the British-born artist has risen to the top of his profession in art and painting. His work has been specially commissioned by the U.S. military, British Army, and U.S. National Park Service.
Reid Mason, of Mason Photographics, has also been selected to display his photos in the Arts Center’s Maxwell Gallery this summer. “Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated with the Civil War,” Reid says. He likes to use High Dynamic Range computer processing and editing to make his images look authentic while maintaining a modern look. Other exhibiting artists include Dale Gallon, Mort Künstler, James Muir, Rick Reeves, Keith Rocco, Bradley Schmehl, John Paul Strain, and Don Troiani. Some artwork will be available for purchase.
Funding for the exhibit is provided by the Randolph County Community Arts Center, the Randolph County Commission, the City of Elkins, West Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, Red Bone Mining Company, Don and Doreen Hall, June Myles, and Dr. and Mrs. Victor Thacker.
The exhibit opens Wednesday, June 22, with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m., and remains open through August 17. Exhibit hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website for weekend hours.
Randolph County Community Arts Center, P.O. Box 3111, 2 Park Street, Elkins, WV 26241; 304.637.2355; info@randolpharts.org
