Works from artists, including Richard Bland College of William & Mary faculty, staff, alumni, students and friends will showcase the college’s thriving and long standing art department, will be featured in the Main Gallery and Members Gallery on September 6 from 6-9pm at the Petersburg Area Art League on 7 East Old Street in Petersburg.

Featured Artists
Elizabeth Berry is a retired educator who enjoys taking art classes at Richard Bland College of William & Mary and is a member of the Lifelong Art Learning Community. She is active with local art groups, and has worked in a variety of media.

Rachel F. Brisendine is an alumna of Richard Bland College of William & Mary. After graduating from the college she went on to Virginia Commonwealth University. She currently works in publishing as an Illustrator for Prevention Magazine.

Susan Brown, now retired, was Professor of Art at Richard Bland College of William & Mary until 1999.

Michelle Delano is the Professor of Art at Richard Bland College of William & Mary. Prior to her arrival at the college, she was Art Department Chair and Coordinator of Distance Ed at John Tyler Community College. She has also taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and worked with many Richmond art institutions. Professor Delano received her BFA from VCU and her MFA, Magna Cum Laude, from Temple University. She is the recipient of the Governor’s SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award, and has been recognized by the General Assembly for her contributions to community arts. She has been a Statewide Visiting Artist for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and currently serves on their College Advisory Council.

Rick Delano is a full-time professional sculptor,specializing in marble and bronze. He is currently the subject of a Virginia Museum of Fine Arts documentary, demonstrating his marble carving techniques as part of the Art in Action! statewide educational film series. Recently, Mr. Delano was the Artist-In-Residence during the Rodin exhibit at the VMFA, where his work was featured as he led interactive demonstrations with museum audiences. He has regularly worked alongside artists from around the world at the Marble/Marble Symposia in Colorado; the stone he selects for his work from the quarry there is the same used for the Lincoln Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. An award-winning sculptor, his work has been exhibited at many galleries, including Smithsonian Museum affiliates.

Robin Deutsch is Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing at Richard Bland College of William & Mary. His work focuses on color photography taken at blues festivals in the US and Canada. He is a graduate of Northeastern University.

Vicente “Vinnie” Gonzalez is an alum of Richard Bland College of William & Mary. After graduating from the college Vinnie went on to Virginia Commonwealth University and has worked as an actor, director and designer of theatrical productions. He currently has a role on the AMC show “The American West.” Vicente opened an art studio in Manchester shortly after moving back to Virginia from Chicago. He currently creates large abstract paintings and photographs. His website is http://www.vinniegonzalez.com/

Dr. Roland Havis, now retired, was Professor of Psychology at Richard Bland College of William & Mary until 2015.