Arts
Baker Gallery
Paintings and Sculpture by John and Lena Murray
Paintings and Sculpture by John and Lena Murray
January 26 - March 5, 2021
Baker Gallery, Walker Fine Arts Center, Woodberry Forest School
The exhibition features paintings by both John and Lena Murray, presenting a range of subjects including landscape, still-life, figure studies, and portraiture, as well as several works of ceramic figurative sculpture. Due to current restrictions necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the gallery is not open to off-campus visitors. Although it is not possible at this time to visit physically, we share this virtual exhibition for your enjoyment.
January 26 - March 5, 2021
Baker Gallery, Walker Fine Arts Center, Woodberry Forest School
John Murray studied painting and sculpture at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Upon graduation, he worked in the Bureau of Printing and Engraving as a banknote designer. His painting of Abraham Lincoln can be seen engraved on the five-dollar bill. After sixteen years at this government agency, he decided to pursue art full-time. In addition to painting and sculpting, he taught at the Corcoran College of Art + Design, and worked on many restoration projects of historic landmarks in the DC area.
Lena Murray grew up in Russia. Although interested in art as a child growing up in St. Petersburg, she pursued other interests. She came to the United States in 1989 as a student just before the collapse of the Soviet Union. She received a full scholarship to study political science and finance at the University of Colorado - Boulder. Upon graduation, she went on to earn an MBA at Johns Hopkins University. While working briefly in the business sector in New York City, she decided to make a career change and pursue fine arts. She began her studies in sculpture and painting under several noted Russian artists who passed along their many years of training in the arts and a passion for artistic creation.
Lena met John in Alexandria, VA at a solo exhibition of his work. They were married in 2000. Pooling their talents and years of training, as well as their passion for painting and sculpture, they opened their own school in New York in 2001, the Bridgeview School of Fine Arts. They expanded the curriculum to include Art Camp France, providing many children and their parents the opportunity to tour and paint in France. The Bridgeview School is currently open and continues to thrive. The Covid-19 pandemic has temporarily paused Art Camp France, but it will resume when conditions for travel become more favorable. John and Lena began to travel in search of an area rich in history and natural beauty. Discovering Orange County, the couple found the ideal place, and moved to a house in the town of Orange this past November. Since arriving, they have conducted landscape painting classes and plan to open an art gallery in their home.
To learn more about the artists and see more art, visit their websites art: www.johnfrancismurray.com and lenamurray.com. The works are available for purchase. For more information, please contact John and Lena Murray at lenak@lenak.digitalspacemail8.net.
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