Artworks Celebrates 40 Years of Artistic Freedom

Artworks Gallery, the longest-running cooperative art gallery in Winston-Salem, is thrilled to announce its 40th-anniversary exhibition. In addition to its regular group show, all member artists will create unique, small, framed artworks available for purchase at a special anniversary price of $40 each. All proceeds from these sales will go directly toward supporting the gallery’s daily operations, ensuring that it continues to be a pillar of the local arts community for years to come.

An opening reception and party will be held on Sunday, October 6th, from 2–4 pm. All are welcome to join in the celebration, including a champagne toast at 2:30pm.

Exhibition Dates: Sunday, September 29th –Saturday, October 26th, 2024

DADA Gallery Hop: Friday, October 4th, 7 – 9 pm
Art Crush: Friday, October 18th , 7- 9 pm
Closing Party: Saturday, October 26th, 2-5pm

Q&A with Mona Wu

How would you describe your art?

My work is mostly representative and nature is my main interested subject. Sometimes l venture into abstraction, especially in collage work.

How have you changed as an artist over the years?

I have switched my medium from Chinese painting to printmaking. The techniques are very different but my observation in nature expressed in my various work still remains.

What artists have influenced your work?

Henri Matisse, many Chinese and Japanese classic painters.

Do you have a favorite medium?

Woodcut is my favorite medium.

What does making art mean in your life?

It provides a channel to fulfill my creative urge. Teaching art classes also gives me feedback from students and my sense of being in a community.

Q & A with Betti Pettinati Longinotti

How would you describe your art?

I work in drawing, painting, mixed media, and glass-fused glass, and stained glass.

How have you changed as an artist over the years?

When I was younger my work was more figurative. I also liked plein air. My work is still inspired by the natural world, but presently with a current of conceptual meaning and intent.

What artists have influenced your work?

Artists Edward Hopper, Kiki Smith, and Georgia O’Keeffe have been the most influential to me.

Do you have a favorite medium?

Oil painting and glass are my favorite mediums.

What does making art mean in your life?

I have known since my earliest memories that I was an artist. I love creating, I love teaching art, I love looking at art, and I love encouraging others’ creativity. Art is intrinsic to all in my life.

Into the Horizons by Diane Nations

Mostly Mandalas: Imagery from Lea’s Garden by Betti Pettinati Longinotti

Exhibition Dates: October 30th – November 26th, 2022

Gallery Hop: Friday, November 4th, 7-9 pm

Reception for the Artists: Sunday, November 13th, 1:30 – 3:30 pm


Q&A with Kimberly Varnadoe

How would you describe your art?

I work in various mediums, choosing what I feel best suits the emotional connection I want my audience to experience when viewing my work.

How have you changed as an artist over the years?

I have transitioned from being a student to a professor and am now a full-time Artist. I have taught art at the college level for more than 30 years. I have been exposed to various art forms and feel grateful that I’ve had experiences engaging with my students as they learn to express themselves through art. At this point in my life, I am practicing what I’ve preached and engaging with life through an artist’s eyes.

What artists have influenced your work?

There are so many I couldn’t possibly name them all. I am influenced by art and life from many different perspectives. I have always been drawn to the drama and mystery in Caravaggio’s Baroque lighting. More recently, I have engaged with the women artists of the Abstract Expressionist phase of the mid-20th century, especially Joan Mitchell.

Do you have a favorite medium?

I enjoy choosing, using, and experimenting with a variety of mediums. I have been formally trained as a painter, printmaker, and photographer, and I often combine these mediums in my work. I have recently engaged with oil painting, which I have not practiced for decades, although I have taught painting for many years.

What does making art mean in your life?

Making art is ingrained in my soul. I choose to live artful life every day. Art, Life, Love…all merge together.

Anything else you think is important?

“Life is short”, as the saying goes. I believe life is an exciting journey filled with adventures to embrace. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. My philosophy is to live an authentic life and take care of ourselves and others as we can.

September 2022: Meyers and Tefft

Artworks Gallery Presents Two New Exhibitions:

A Leg to Stand On, a new series of work by Jessica Tefft

The Forest, a continuing series of works by Wendell Myers

Exhibition Dates: August 28th – October 1st, 2022

Gallery Hop: Friday, September 2nd, 7-9 pm


August 2022: Aikers, Kopf & LaRosee

Artworks Gallery Presents Three New Exhibitions:

“Textures from the Coasts,” Karen Kopf

“Mysterious Barricades,” Nanu Lindgren La Rosee

“New Works,” Wiley Akers

Exhibition Dates: July 31- August 27, 2022

Gallery Hop: Friday, August 5th, 7-9 pm

Artists’ Reception: Sunday, August 14th, 2-4 pm


June 2022: Barbara Rizza Mellin

“Unique and Universal Etchings and Artist’s Books of World Culture”

Exhibition Dates: May 29th – June 25th, 2022

Open for Gallery Hop: Friday, June 3rd, 7 – 10 pm

Reception and Gallery Talk: Sunday, June 12th, 2:30 – 4 pm


Barbara Rizza Mellin , Ahka Drummer

© 2023 Artworks Gallery, Inc. All rights to images in this site remain with the respective artists. Images may not be displayed, printed, published or reproduced without permission of the artist.