This past Monday Senator Warner held a reception honoring Virginia artists whose work is currently on display in his Washington, D.C. office as part of his State of the Arts in Virginia program.  Each year, the Senator works with a curator and various Virginia art institutes to select a variety of paintings to display, to both support Virginia artists and bring a part of the Commonwealth to Washington.

During the reception, Senator Warner commended the artists on their dedication to creativity and noted that few offices in Congress are decorated with such outstanding art. 

“I feel very lucky that we were able to work together to display these pieces of not just art, but Virginia culture, here in Washington. I appreciate them every day,” the Senator said.

Senator Warner has long been a strong supporter of Virginia arts and culture, as well as cultural tourism. As Governor, Senator Warner helped establish the Crooked Road Music Trail, which links significant historic musical sites and venues in Southwest Virginia, and ’Round the Mountain, Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Network.

For this year’s State of the Arts program, Senator Warner selected pieces from Jesi Pace-Berkeley, paintings and lampworkings from Lynn Blount, Bob Holland, Ken Wright, and Cathy-Jo Ramsey from the d’ART Center in Norfolk. From Mallory Fine Art in Abingdon, Senator Warner selected works from Suzanne Stryk, Bill Wysor, Carole Blevins, and Christine Berg.

Lynn Blount: Lynn resides in Suffolk, where she is a resident artist at the d’Art Center.

Christine Berg: Christine resides in Abingdon, where she teaches art.

Jesi Pace-Berkeley: Jesi resides in Blacksburg, where she teaches high school.

Carole Blevins: Carole is from Washington County, an inspiration for her landscape paintings.

Bob Holland: Bob resides in Hampton Roads, and his preferred medium is water color.

Ken Wright: Ken resides in Chesapeake, and also has art featured in the White House.

Bill Wysor: Bill is from Southwest Virginia, where he seeks inspiration from his mountain home.

Cathy-Jo Ramsey: Cathy-Jo resides in Norfolk, and was previously a middle school teacher.

Suzanne Stryk: Suzanne resides in Southwest Virginia, her paintings have been hung in more than 60 group shows.