Center for Peace Studies And Violence Prevention
 

Center for Peace Studies And Violence Prevention: Norris Hall Art Gallery

The Department of Engineering, Science and Mechanics and the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention are pleased to invite you to visit an ongoing series of art exhibits jointly hosted in the Norris Hall second-floor gallery.

 

Inaugural show - Susan Hensley, October - December, 2009,
Reception Thursday October 9, 2-4 PM
Download the flyer (PDF) and event announcement. (PDF)

See Channel 10 WSLS's interview with the artist.

 

Biography: Susan Hensley, who began painting professionally in 2000, has taken "Drawing with the Masters" with Terry Cohill, studied watercolor and collage with Nadine Allen, studied privately with Carol Hoge in oil, has participated in the Robert Lysiak workshop, "Big Shapes, Big Colors" and attended Mary Ann Beckwith's "Beyond the Brush" water and collage workshop and Martha Rhode's workshop "No Failed Painting".

Her one person shows in Blacksburg, Virginia: Bollo's Norris Hall The Easy Chair Holtzman Alumni Center Mish Mish Some of her group shows include: ART on a Mission, Roanoke, Virginia Elon College, Elon, North Carolina Shaftman Hall, Roanoke, Virginia University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA VTLS, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia BRAA [Blacksburg Regional ART Association] numerous sites.

Susan Hensley paints and photographs largely in the abstract and emotive style; she believes this mode encourages participation by the viewer in what s/he perceives in the image rather than using a realistic style. Hensley has sold art at Chateau Morrisette, the Jacksonville Center, and in and around the New River Valley. She received an Honorable Mention at ART Along the Alley in Blacksburg [2008].

Hensley painting
"Seaglass" Mixed Media
Hensley painting
"Late Summer #9" Mixed Media
Artist's Statement

Three months after the terrible tragedy at Norris Hall in 2007, a counselor from northern Virginia who had come to help with our overwhelming need, went into a collectible shop on his way home from Blacksburg. He spotted a multi blue piece of art called 'Moonbeams' on one wall; he walked over to the piece of art and took it to the cashier. When asked why he bought this particular piece of art he replied, "It makes me feel calm".
       
        I am the artist who created 'Moonbeams' with watercolors. When I was told of his reason for purchase I felt that, at last, I had helped in some small way those on the 'front lines' of counseling the many victims of the event. Having felt, like many of us, helpless during that time period, I now felt the joy and power that art can bring us.
       
        It is with great humility and reverence that I bring my art to Norris Hall as a tribute to those who perished and to those who persevere today at Virginia Tech and in our community. I carefully have chosen art pieces with soothing themes and colors but have not omitted bursts of vibrant orange to cheer us onward.

Artist Blog: http://artbysusanhensley.blogspot.com/

We would like to thank Pat Bevan, June Mullins, and the Blacksburg Regional Art Association for their assistance with this project.