Many years ago, when I first moved to this area, I remember one of the first local artist names I had heard of and then met was that of Vinton Pickens. Born in 1900, Mrs. Pickens was elderly and eventually died at the age of 93 in 1993. Not though, without leaving behind a worldly professional art career, much community service, as she also helped form the first Planning Commission for Loudoun in 1942 and The Loudoun Sketch Club, which she began with a group of friends in the early 1940s.

In those early days the all female group which often met at the Picken's now history Ashburn home "Janelia", had been nicknamed "The Hot Sketches". This came by way of Vinton's husband Robert, an author and Washington correspondent for the Associated Press. Eventually, they needed a more proper name and on September 10th, 1946 officially became The Loudoun Sketch Club. The next year they would have their first exhibit at Leesburg Baptist Church in 1947.

Many years, exhibits and sketches have past since those early days and certainly names I remember in the number of years I've known the club. One such name is now acting club president, Virginia Treveranus, who gives proof to the club's long member dedication and enthusiasm. Some 80 members strong today, The Loudoun Sketch club welcomes new members and is proud of its generous artistic sharing of knowledge. This club is not just for pros either, it's for beginners too and all with a passion for fine art. If you are new to the area or new to art, this is a group eager to help and they provide opportunities to access not only public places in an artistic way, but very special private places as well.

As you know, subject matter is the life's blood to an artist and The Loudoun Sketch Club finds no shortage of it through their years of history and connections.

An active group, they meet for "plein air" painting and or to gather research for studio paintings on Tuesdays at about two sights per month, including farms, estates, vineyards and historic sites, from May through October. I believe, as do they, this brings a rich sense of documentation of our area for generations to come. Just think of the history of art, our history through art and what artists have captured and immortalized that is no longer with us. There is a mission here beyond simply having fun with art.

HONORED TO HELP

I was recently ask to hang The Loudoun Sketch Club's 60th Anniversary Exhibit show and sale, hosted by The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Creighton Farms. The show will feature The Loudoun Sketch Club at 60, close to 40 works of art by over 20 of the club's members. The opening reception will be held Saturday, October 28th from 3 to 7pm in Creighton Farm's new reception area at 22616 James Monroe Hwy. Aldie, Va. and will remain on display through November. A percentage of the show's sales will be donated to the Audubon Naturalist Society's Rust Sanctuary in Leesburg.

For more information about the show you can contact Creighton Farms at 703-542-7413 and or for more information about The Loudoun Sketch Club, contact Sarita Moffat at 540-687-4241 Dues are still just $20. a year!