Tappahannock Art Gallery (TAG) Presents:
"Nature's Essence"
A Two-Person Art Exhibit featuring works by Jon Larsen and Juli Schuszler
Opening Reception: Friday, March 28th, from 5-7 pm
Exhibition Dates: March 28th - April 19th, 2025
Location: TAG, Tappahannock Art Gallery, 200 Prince Street, Tappahannock, VA
TAG is delighted to host "Nature's Essence," a two-person art exhibit featuring the compelling sculptures of Jon Larsen and the vibrant oil paintings and pastels of Juli Schuszler.
About the Artists
Jon Larsen, a veteran of the US Coast Guard, discovered his passion for glass while earning his bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary arts at Towson University in 2001. Self-taught in kiln forming, Jon is renowned for his innovative process of casting human faces into evocative glass masks, often incorporating natural elements like driftwood and stones. His artwork, celebrating the colors and structure of the natural world, has been featured in exhibitions throughout the United States and internationally, including the notable “Nature Personified” at the Art Center and "Permaculture: Art of the Natural World" at the Indianapolis Art Center. Jon currently creates in his home studio in Culpeper, Virginia.
“To be human is to be natural, a part of nature and our surroundings,” says Larsen. “Humans often view nature from a detached perspective, yet it is integral to our human experience. My respect for the natural world greatly influences my work, pushing me to explore and understand nature's complexities. Through my sculptures, I strive to encourage viewers to see themselves as integral to nature rather than separate from it. Art should challenge perspectives and inspire new ways of thinking, and I hope my creations prompt this introspection.”
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Juli Schuszler, a Tidewater native, is celebrated for her detailed and vibrant paintings depicting nature’s inherent beauty. As a meticulous representational artist, Juli captures the nuances of color, light, and shadow through carefully applied layers of oil paint and pastels. Her extensive portfolio includes florals, landscapes, seascapes, and portraits inspired by nature's rich diversity. Juli's artistic talents, influenced by her Hungarian heritage, emerged at an early age. She holds degrees from Old Dominion University and the Citadel and has an extensive career background as both a commercial artist and art educator. Her work is displayed in prominent regional art centers, and more can be viewed online at julischuszler.com.
Juli Schuszler shares: “I paint to express the real joy and pleasure nature provides me. Through careful layering and vivid representation, I capture the interplay of light and shadow, aiming to reflect nature’s inherent beauty and evoke joy in viewers."
Juli was a winner of a juried show at TAG a few years ago, and will be serving as juror for TAG’s 2025 summer juried show, Wild and Wacky, which will open on June 27.
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The opening reception on March 28th, from 5 to 7 pm, offers an opportunity to meet both artists. Admission to the exhibit is free, and all displayed works will be available for purchase.
On Saturday, March 29 at 10am, Jon Larsen will offer a demonstration of his glass sculpture techniques.
Register online here.
For additional information, visit TAG’s website tapparts.org or contact the gallery directly.
Tappahannock Artists Guild, also known as Tappahannock Art Gallery or TAG, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission of TAG is to build and maintain a community art center, to promote artists and their work, and to offer opportunities for art education, cultural enrichment, and creative expression to all citizens and visitors by sharing and celebrating diverse talents, traditions, and lifestyles.
