Over 30 works of art will be auctioned at the Yorktown Gallery of artist Nancy Thomas on May 16 and 17^th to benefit the Monart visual art enrichment program operated by Alternatives - a nonprofit youth development agency in Hampton.  The auction will highlight a work by Nancy Thomas as well as other noted Virginia painters, photographers, and jewelers. Paintings by Jan Ledbetter, and Gloria Coker will be featured as well as work by photographer Jim Thompson and Jewelers Laura Moore and Edith Knight Hunt.  

The proceeds of the auction go to benefit the Monart Visual Art Enrichment program which reaches over 800 young people ages 4 – 18 on the Virginia Peninsula who are economically at risk or identified with special needs.  Monart teaches students the 5 elements of shape and provides a method for them to draw the elements in a way to produce realistic artwork. The method is combined with a philosophy that creates an environment in which students can experiment, learn and feel safe from criticism or critique. Alternatives operates the only licensed Monart studio in Virginia.

The goal of the auction is to raise enough money to increase participation in Monart to reach over 1,000 economically disadvantaged youths on the Virginia Peninsula.

An online auction which begins April 28^th will be held in conjunction with the live auction. The online auction is at www.monart.cmarket.com.   

Auction sponsors include: Nancy Thomas Gallery, Ferguson Enterprises, Senator and Mrs. John Miller, Delegate and Mrs. Phillip Hamilton, Riverside Medical Group, Canon Virginia, SunTrust Bank, and Courtney Gardiner

 Nancy in the NEWS

Nancy Thomas - FLAG SHOW
Starting May 24th, Nancy's Yorktown Gallery will be filled with flags, flags, flags! This summer-long show will feature Old Glory as depicted by a wonderful group of artists from around the nation such as Cornbread, Betsy Nimock, Peter Paul Connolly, Sydney Meers, Hunter Thomas and many others. There will be great flag gifts and memorabilia as well as Nancy's wonderful art! The Flag Show will run all summer so check back frequently as new artists will be added throughout the summer. Call 757.898.0738 for more info.

Nancy Thomas - Going to the Dogs!
The Heritage Humane Society in Williamsburg, VA has just built a new facility to house and care for unwanted and abandoned animals. Nancy Thomas recently designed and donated a larger-than-life frame for the organization's donor board. The frame, covered with animals, is a true Nancy Thomas piece complete with the usual vibrant colors and whimsical subjects. Nancy toured the facility this week and paused to play with some wonderful pups and meet with the executive director Christe Chipps Peters. The Heritage Humane Society always welcomes visitors, volunteers and donations. Stop by when you have a chance and see the facility, adopt a pet, and look for the new donor board by Nancy Thomas! The Heritage Humane Society is on Waller Mill Road in Williamsburg.

Artist Nancy Thomas and Director Christe Chipps Peters

Nancy Thomas' donor board is a must-see at the facility!

Nancy Thomas receives the Clean Business Award
York County, Virginia has just announced Nancy Thomas as the winner of the York County Clean Business Award. Nancy's grounds around her studio and both of her galleries always look wonderful and a lot of hard work and planning are receiving well-deserved recognition! Nancy and famed "Landscaper to the Stars" Johnny Hartwiger work closely to make sure NTG is always a Yorktown destination. Johnny Hartwiger is pictured below with the sign that now adorns the gallery lawn.

WHITE HOUSE FINALE FOR 400th JAMESTOWN ANNIVERSARY: NANCY THOMAS CREATES ORNAMENT FOR OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE, ATTENDS ITS FIRST VIEWING

Yorktown - December 3, 2007 – Last Wednesday, November 28, Nancy Thomas traveled by invitation to Washington DC to see her one-of-a-kind ornament, commemorating the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown, on the official “Blue Room” White House tree at a reception hosted by First Lady Laura Bush.

This was the second time Thomas has done an ornament for the official White House tree (the Blue Room is the traditional site for the “official” tree): the first was in 1981 when she was selected, along with seven other artists, by the American Folk Art Museum to create ornaments for the White House Tree. That time each artist created 100 ornaments, and the seven artists and their spouses were then hosted by Nancy Reagan.

Nancy Thomas at the White House

The Peninsula Fine Arts Center Cookbook is here! Nancy's work is featured on the cover and throughout the book, as well as stories and recipes from Nancy and her friends. Order it here.

Nancy's famous posters as prints!
Every year, Nancy donates a painting to the Yorktown 4th of July Committee for their poster advertising the event. Now, these fabulous posters from previous years are available to collect as Nancy Thomas prints in a perfect size for decorating! All of the posters are available in the same quality as any other Nancy Thomas mounted prints. They come ready to hang in 11"x17" and carry a special limited-time price. See them here!

GREAT NEWS! Blessings We Celebrate has just received the GOLD Award for Best Gift/Holiday/Specialty Book from the Independent Publishers Association. The Junior League's Blessings Book, featuring Illustrations from Nancy is now available, click here for details.

Michael Banks - Art on Tar
An excellent collection of Michael Banks’ work is available from Nancy's Yorktown Gallery. Michael Banks stunning work was first discovered by Nancy in May last year and by September, she held a spectacular, very successful show featuring Michael Banks exclusively.

Michael Banks grew up in a housing project in north Alabama, and after struggling with his mother’s death. Michael developed his signature style of painting, with powerful, significant images and extraordinary use of color.

He uses what might be called the Michael Banks technique, covering plywood with roofing tar and bright enamels and acrylics, and then uses tools to incise the outlines of the image.

Nancy feels that “Michael Banks is headed to the Museum of Modern Art someday.” If you are interested in viewing or obtaining Michael Banks fantastic work, Nancy Thomas Gallery has a huge selection and ships anywhere in the U.S. Email us here for more info!

Matt Sesow
Yorktown - Nancy is happy to announce the work of D.C. artist Matt Sesow in her Yorktown gallery. Matt has shown in every major city in the U.S. and overseas as well. When stopping by, ask to see the fabulous work of this increadible artist. See more artists that Nancy has made available in her gallery here.

Traveling Salesman by Matt Sesow