Falls Church Arts: 'Layers' Opens Aug. 16 with Meet-the-Artists Reception

What will you make of the many layers of meaning?

The artworks of 68 local artists will be on display when Falls Church Arts (FCA) presents its all-media exhibition “Layers,” opening Aug. 16 and running through Sept. 28. A meet-the-artists reception – free and open to the public – will be held from 7 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16 in FCA's gallery spaces at 700-B W. Broad St.

"This diverse show will feature the work of emerging and established artists from the Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland area, all interpreting the theme of multiple layers in their submissions," FCA said in an Aug. 5 press release.

The Juror’s Choice Award will be announced during the program.

Juror Tricia Ratliff described “Layers” as “an exhibition showcasing an extraordinary range of mixed-media works — from photography, painting, and collage to jewelry, fiber, found objects, and sculpture — each using layering as a way to explore ideas like memory, transformation, identity, and emotion. Together, the works invite viewers to look beyond the surface and discover the beauty hidden in complexity.”

About the Juror

Ms. Ratliff is an artist trained in classical and contemporary methods whose artwork has been exhibited and collected around the world. For a decade she taught painting and drawing in a classical atelier and continues teaching art workshops. She has been a juror and judge of art exhibits and competitions and juried the 2025 Falls Church Arts Plein Air Festival.

"I believe art has the power to inspire, heal, and connect us to something greater. That’s why my work carries a deep purpose: to foster vitality, tranquility and a sense of wellness in your life." Ratliff says on her artist's website. "My paintings are born from a love for nature, respect for life’s cycles, and a passion for creating dreamscapes that speak to the soul. You'll find the warm glow of sunlight through trees bringing the promise of a new day after adversity, or symbols of renewal and connection .... my art tells stories of growth, love, and resilience." 

"Often when I travel, kind people host me as a painter in residence for a few weeks to paint beautiful, meaningful views. I pause to reflect and soak up the local environment by looking, listening, learning and sharing stories," Ratliff continues. "Then I paint & create long enough to gift artwork to my hosts to mark the experience. Drawing, painting and capturing images or videos is a way of immersing in the wonders of nature and human experience."

A Sample of Artworks from "Layers"

The Falls Church Arts gallery is at 700-B West Broad St. (Route 7), Falls Church. Admission is free, and the gallery is open Tuesdays-Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Artworks can be viewed online at https://www.fallschurcharts.org. All pieces can be purchased at the gallery or on the website.

Highlights of this exhibit include the Juror's Choice Award and People's Choice Award. To vote for the People's Choice Award, please visit the gallery before Sept. 12 to cast your ballot.

Participating artists include:

Jean Marie Ahanda

Lisbet Axell

Kay Bailey

John Ballou

Cheryl Ann Bearss

Blanca Belisario

Noreen Brunini

Megan Day

Anna Demovidova

Kristine DeNinno

Jennifer Dreyfus

Patti Durbin

Maluchi Enyi

Sharon Fields

Susan Fine

Mara Flynn

Marilyn Geldzahler

Patricia Giovannoni

Anjori Halder

James Hengst

Beth Higgins

Dan Hildt

Susan Hillson

Sydney Hunter

Lizzy Javier

Steve Jennings

Susanne Kamalieh

Martha Kaplan

Gerda Lane

Jessica Lehman

Sandra Lewin

Julia Licholai

Donna Liguria

Trisha Love

Linda Lowery

Russ Mardon

Neha Mathur

Erasto Curtis Matthews

Stephanie McGee

Judith Mensh

Jessica Mickey

Cynthia K Miller

Sasha More

Nan Morrison

Nicki Mulligan

Jenny Newberry

Hazel Nguyen

Yasuo Oda

Barbara Osborne-Harris

Sandi Parker

Nancy Patrick

Erin Peterson-Fleming

Laura Ramírez -Drain

Elisabeth Rhyne

Andrea Salzman

Susan Sanders

Cynthia Schoeppel

Todd Schvaneveldt

Jenny Sewell

Janet Sifers

Celia Slater

Gillian Stern

Terry Svat

Carina Tenaglia

Lara Tiller

Suzanne Updike

Bob Wentworth

Amy Woodhouse

For more information, contact: info@fallschurcharts.org.

By The Falls Church Independent