Huntington Museum exhibits permanent collection portraits

HUNTINGTON - "Who's Who in the Vault: Portraits from the Permanent Collection" is now on display at the Huntington Museum. The exhibit will run through Oct. 18, 2009.

The exhibit includes a diverse selection of the museum's portraits, beginning with Italian Renaissance portrayals of important noblemen such as Vincenzo di Biagio Catena's "Portrait of a Nobleman," from 1531.

Museum favorite "Joyce," painted by fellow Scottish artist Howard Sommerville in 1920, reflects the tastes and norms of the early 20th century, while Chuck Close's thumb-printed likeness of his wife, Leslie, created in 1986, suggests the influence of photography and modern technology.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Visit www.hmoa.org or call (304) 529-2701.

Clay Center's W.Va. artists exhibition to close today

If you haven't had a chance to see the Clay Center's exhibit, "Autobiographies: Six West Virginia Artists," today is your last chance. Charleston and Huntington area artists Peter Massing, Robin McClintock, Mark Tobin Moore, Eric Pardue, Emily Ritchey and Claire Sherwood have created works that reflect their concerns, artistic influences, affinities to certain materials or forms, and personal histories. The Clay Center is open from noon to 5 p.m. today, and admission to the gallery only is $7 for adults and $5.50 for children, teachers and seniors. Visit www.theclaycenter.org or call (304) 561-3500.

Miniatures artist from Winfield honored for 'Landscape' painting

HUNTINGTON - Janet Chambers of Winfield received an honorable mention in the eighth annual National Miniature Exhibition sponsored by the Renaissance Art Gallery in Huntington. She won for her miniature oil painting, "Landscape."

The show has more than 75 miniature works of art including paintings, drawings and sculpture by regional and national artists. The show runs through Dec. 7. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

The Renaissance Art Gallery is an artist-run, nonprofit co-op featuring original works by artists from West Virginia, eastern Kentucky and southern Ohio. The Renaissance Art Gallery and Learning Center, 900 Eighth St., Suite 20, Huntington. Call (304) 525-3235 or visit www.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance/index.html.

- Sara Busse