Central Virginia Arts will hold an opening reception for artists Anthony Hurt and Venus Powers on Friday, Feb.  5, from 6-8 p.m. at Riverside Café, 522 N. Main St., Farmville.

Anthony Hurt, a 1976 graduate of Prince Edward County High School, attended Howard University and graduated from Chowan University. To allow time for art, he vowed to never have a 40-hour-a-week job. He was fortunate to be able to work part-time jobs while pursuing a career as an artist. He went on retire after 31 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. He is presently finishing his second degree from Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton while still leaving time to pursue his dream as an artist.

Hurt works in acrylics and graphite pencils, using a wide range of colors and diversity in design and form. His challenging life experiences have given him a broad perspective, exposing him to variety of styles and allowing him to create new and unique works. He has many collectors and his artwork can be seen in exhibits throughout Hampton Roads and in Washington, D.C. He has returned home to Prince Edward County to share the results of his journey.

Venus Powers, a self-taught artist and mother of two boys, resides in Buckingham County. Her love of art began early as she won ribbons and art competitions from elementary through high school. Although she hoped to work in fashion design or advertising, her career in software and technology took her on a different path. She put art aside to pursue a rewarding marketing career. 

“The desire to paint and create was forever in my soul,” Powers said as she designed brochures, logos and murals for her company and gave endless presentations.

In 1999 she was introduced to Nell Powers, her late-husband’s aunt, who gave them a wedding present, a painting from her collection. This gift inspired Venus to focus on her love of painting as a career. Since then, she has designed covers for newspapers in South Carolina, created murals in Arlington and signs and wall paintings for businesses in Buckingham and Farmville.  A full gallery of her work can be found on her website artbyvenus.com.

Powers paints in oil and acrylics and illustrates in pen and ink and watercolor. She participates in local art and craft shows and takes commissions and custom orders. Her most recent accomplishment was illustrating a book for local author, Francis Wood, “The Bell Tree.”

“It is a lovely book and I was honored to participate,” Powers said.

The public is invited to attend the reception, enjoy refreshments and meet the artists.

This exhibit may be viewed Mondays through Saturdays, 6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. through March 27. It is made possible with the cooperation of Jean and Parker Wheeler, Riverside Café owners. For more information on Central Virginia Arts call Tom Dennison, president, (434) 392-6804.