Piedmont Virginia Community College issued the following announcement on Jan. 24
The Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) Visual Arts Department will host an opening celebration for a retrospective exhibition that brings together a lifetime of artworks by its former chairperson, Beryl Solla, on Friday, February 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. “These Memories Can’t Wait” will showcase Solla's whimsical and glittered solo creations alongside examples of numerous public art projects she spearheaded. The exhibition will run through March 26 in the PVCC Gallery, located in the V. Earl Dickinson Building on the main campus in Charlottesville.
The North Gallery will show an array of Solla’s artworks in her favorite mediums, which highlight the vibrant colors and garden-themed motifs that were a trademark of her works. Items on view will include ceramic sculptures and vessels, brightly painted wooden sculptures and sewn pieces adorned with layers of sequins, this latter medium taken up after travels to treat cancer limited her ability to work with less portable materials.
Solla transferred her signature style and iconography, and love of glitter, into small exquisite, beaded jewels. Many of these objects were given to friends and will be generously on loan to display for the exhibition. Included in this series are the last two pieces that Solla was working on when she passed away–unfinished, but evidence of her indomitable belief that she still had more work to make.
The South Gallery will be dedicated to Solla’s impressive influence on her community, both near and far. A revolving slide show will share images from her long art career, including large-scale public art and early ceramic works in collections beyond Charlottesville. Many of her tile projects are located in Charlottesville and four of the most public installations will be featured in the gallery.
Solla often bridged communities to accomplish the public projects she oversaw. To make art out of several large planters at Charlottesville’s IX Art Park, she gathered drawings made by students at Clark Elementary School and had PVCC art students translate them into mosaics and install the designs. There will be a take-away list of locations for anyone wishing to see the tile works in person.
As a nod to her passion for sharing and democratizing art, husband James Yates has lent a selection of tiles Solla had prepared for future projects. Part of a “make it” table, attendees are invited to create their own piece of art, inspired by and using Solla’s own ingredients.
Yates envisions, “these creations will exist only temporarily, long enough to snap a picture, post to an online community celebration and leave it until the next artist walks by and is inspired to make their own creation.”
The PVCC Gallery is open when the V. Earl Dickinson Building is open, including all arts performances. Generally, hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
For more information, visit www.pvcc.edu/performingarts or contact Associate Professor of Art Fenella Belle at fbelle@pvcc.edu or 434.961.5362.
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