Artopolis, Dec. 7-9, features artworks and artists at Beanetics
With one week to go, plans for Artopolis, Annandale’s first arts pop-up, are firmly in place.
Running for three nights – Dec. 7-9 – Artopolis will bring a group of 14 local artists together to share their most recent work with the community.
The free event will happen at Beanetics Coffee Roasters at 7028 Columbia Pike, 6-9 p.m. each evening. Beanetics will stay open to offer special coffee drinks and snacks.
The goal of Artopolis is to start laying the groundwork for more cultural activities in and around Annandale. To that end, the organizers see next week’s program as a way to connect to other artists in the area and to find ways to create further collaborations. A local artist database will be developed and more chances to work together will be explored.
Rather than three nights of very crowded artwork, Artopolis will present distinct works each night. Four to five artists will put their work up and take it down each day, making way for another group the next day.
Although challenging organizationally, this allows time for visitors to speak with the artists, enjoy Beanetics’ offerings each evening, and perhaps even purchase a piece or two.
Readers interested in viewing or purchasing art should feel free to come all three nights.
Related story: Beanetics to host an art gathering in December
The first night, Thursday, Dec. 7, will have a wide range of visual works:
- Local residents Mahnaz Weldy, Daren Shumate, and James Albright will have 2-D works available.
- Charlottesville painter Chris Parker will showcase refined urban landscapes.
- Lukmad Ahmad, a Kurdish painter recently returned from Barcelona, will have some of his incredibly vibrant pieces on offer.
- The night will be enhanced by the Parklawn Ramblers, a local group of bluegrass musicians, who will perform a set at 7 p.m.
Friday night, Dec. 8, will take a different turn:
- Author Rebecca Morrison will show gorgeous floral oils, among others.
- Jill Wallis and Marvel Adams will display a range of works, including watercolors.
- Renowned friend John Ballou will share his meticulously crafted and imaginative oils that are both complex and exciting.
On closing night, Saturday, Dec. 9, Artopolis will branch out into a fascinating collection of works:
- Lisamarie Adams will showcase ceramics and 2d images.
- Lynn Fulling will share her evocative paintings.
- Helen Pappas, an accomplished artist from Maryland, will bring exciting new works in her signature abstract style.
- Rounding out this busy night will be the work of two local celebrities: Andy Shallal, former Annandale resident and current owner of the Busboys and Poets restaurant group, will showcase his large and powerful landscapes, and Steven Parke, one-time art director for Prince (yes, that Prince), will offer a selection of original photographs of his Purple Majesty.
Local residents Jason and Nicole Llorenz, who purchased Beanetics last spring, are interested in making the shop more of a community gathering space and are lending their support to Artopolis.
My wife and I visited Beanetics for the first time a few weeks ago hoping to find a local coffee shop timo frequent. Unfortunately, the entire experience was bad. The location is cramped and has extremely limited seating as most of its storefront is taken by their roasting area. I have no idea where they expect to host an art opening as 10 people would make this place seem packed. A kid was pulling the espresso shots this day and didn’t seem to know what she was doing. The primary seating area was occupied by a small group of (I presume) regulars who were discussing their politics rather loudly with the poor acoustics echoing their MAGA rants throughout the tiny venue. My wife and I both left as quickly as we could, depositing our one-sip-only drinks into the outside trash bin on our way to Starbucks. A shame, too, as this could be a great spot if only they’d remove the roasting equipment and make more seating. Oh, and put some soft things on the wall to baffle the acoustics.
Agreed, the ambiance could be much improved.
James L – Please don’t let the one bad experience keep you away from the art event. As one of the painters (and also a musician in the Parklawn Ramblers) I can tell you that this will be a great, if not a bit crowded, event.
Hope to see you there!
Daren Shumate